AttendancePolicy

1. Policy Overview

Pakistani Islamic Private School has developed, implement, monitor, and regularly review its Attendance Policy. The policy will be communicated to parents and published on the school website. The Attendance Policy aims to ensure regular student attendance, punctuality, and early intervention for students at educational risk.

2. Defining Attendance and Punctuality

1. Attendance and punctuality shall be clearly defined in the school policy, outlining procedures to ensure compliance.

2. Follow-up on Absences: All unreported absences shall be followed up within 2 hours of the attendance register being closed.

3. Monitoring Arrival and Departure: 

• Schools shall notify parents of arrival and departure of unaccompanied Cycle 3 students.
• Upon request, similar notifications shall be provided for students in KG and Cycle 1-2.

4. Identifying Students at Risk:

• Cycle 1-3: Students with absence rates above 5% of total school days are flagged as a “cause for concern.”
• KG Cycle: Students with absence rates above 10% of total school days shall prompt parent engagement.
• Students at risk of neglect shall be reported as per the Student Protection Policy.

5. Students with Additional Learning Needs: Attendance requirements apply, but medical or therapeutic leaves shall be accommodated.

3. Ensuring Attendance Compliance

Pakistani Islamic Private School has the following procedures to ensure student attendance.

• Managing absences per ADEK Student Happiness Committee guidelines.
• Recognizing excellent or improved attendance.
• Reporting attendance daily to ADEK via eSIS
• Preventing travel-related absences from affecting learning by planning productive lessons throughout the year.
• Communicating the importance of attendance to parents, students, and staff.

4. Authorized Absences

PIPS shall authorize absences supported by official documentation for:

1. Illness
2. Death of a first- or second-degree relative.
3. Scheduled medical appointments.
4. Official community or government tasks.
5. Mandatory appearance before an official body.
6. Essential urgent family travel (e.g., medical care, escort, death in family).
7. Participation in conferences, competitions, and school events (Principal approval required).
8. Work in the entertainment industry.
9. Religious holidays not recognized as UAE public holidays.
10. Examination leave (board/pre-collegiate exams, ADEK-approved).
11. Study leave (up to 4 weeks, ADEK-approved).
12. Medical or therapeutic leave for students with additional learning needs.
13. Government-approved closures due to extreme weather.

Note: Authorized absences require students to catch up on missed work, assignments, and tests.

5. Absence Due to Illness

• Absence of up to 3 consecutive days requires a parent-written sick note; otherwise, it is unauthorized.
• Absence of 4 or more consecutive days requires a sick leave certificate from  a DOH-licensed physician.
• Schools authorize up to 12 days of annual medical absence without a physician certificate.
• For chronic medical conditions exceeding 12 days, parents must submit a medical report for consideration.

6. Punctuality

• Late arrivals due to adverse weather or exceptional circumstances may be excused.
• Students must register at reception for a late pass.
• Frequent lateness shall be monitored, and appropriate action taken.

7. Maintenance of Attendance Records

• Teachers shall record attendance daily.
• The administration shall update records in the centralized system (eSIS) to ensure accurate reporting.

8. Intervention for Students at Educational Risk

• Students with low attendance shall be identified as “students at educational risk.”
• The school, in collaboration with parents, shall implement an intervention plan following the
  Educational Risk Policy.