As final exams for the 2024-2025 academic year commence on Tuesday, June 10, across public and private schools following the national curriculum, the Ministry of Education has issued clear guidelines regarding student attendance and support measures. These crucial exams, for students in grades 3 through 12, will run until June 19.

When Can Students Be Excused from Exams? Seven Valid Reasons

The Ministry of Education has identified seven specific scenarios where students may be excused from attending their final exams. These valid excuses are detailed in an official absence form provided by the Student Performance Assessment Department.

To ensure an absence is officially accepted, students or guardians must submit the original excuse form to the exam committee head within two working days of the exam date, remembering to keep a copy for their records.

Here are the officially approved reasons for missing an exam:

1. Exemption for Non-Muslim Students: Non-Muslim students are excused from taking Islamic Education exams.
2. Medical Conditions: A valid absence requires an accredited medical report.
3. Bereavement: Absences due to the passing of a first or second-degree relative.
4. Official Government Summons: Supported by formal documentation from a government authority.
5. Sudden Emergency Travel: For unforeseen travel necessities.
6. Unexplained Absence: These cases are accepted only after review by the authorities.
7. Other Clearly Stated Reasons: Any other reasons must be clearly explained by the student or guardian.

Important Note on Excuse Submission: For Grade 12 students, excuse forms are forwarded directly to the centralised Exam Results and Evaluation Centre. For grades 3 to 11, schools are responsible for retaining these forms on file. The acceptance or rejection of an excuse requires official signatures: the head of the evaluation centre for Grade 12 and the school principal for all lower grades.

Consequences of Unjustified Absence: Failure to submit a valid excuse within the stipulated two-day timeframe will result in the absence being marked as “unjustified” in the “Al Manhal” electronic system. Such unexcused absences can negatively affect a student’s final results, in line with Ministry regulations. These measures underscore the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining discipline and fairness during exams, while also showing understanding for genuine emergencies.

Ministry’s Extensive Preparations and Support for Exam Period

Alongside the exam guidelines, the Ministry has rolled out a comprehensive readiness campaign to ensure an optimal testing environment. The School Operations Sector has issued seven key directives to administrative and teaching staff, emphasising a holistic approach to student well-being and academic readiness:

• Positive Role Modelling: Teachers are encouraged to demonstrate professionalism and emotional stability.
• Supportive Environments: Ensuring calm, structured exam venues.
• Educational Care: Providing psychological and emotional support to boost student confidence.
• Logistical Readiness: Full preparation of all exam resources and venues.
• Strict Adherence to Rules: Consistent enforcement of exam regulations for fairness.
• Understanding Exam Importance: Highlighting exams as crucial for learning and character development.
• Reinforcing Educational Mission: Reminding teachers of their vital role in shaping future generations.

These directives highlight the crucial role of teachers in fostering a supportive, focused, and equitable atmosphere, recognising that emotional stability significantly impacts academic performance.

Student Support Campaigns: Nurturing Mental Readiness

To further support students academically and mentally, the Ministry has released a motivational video on its social media platforms. Featuring a high school student, the video offers practical advice for managing exam stress and organising study effectively.

Students will begin their summer vacation on June 30, while teaching and administrative staff will commence theirs on July 14.

The UAE Ministry of Education has confirmed that summer holidays for students will begin on June 30, according to the official 2024-2025 academic calendar. Teaching and administrative staff will begin their break two weeks later, on July 14, after the release of re-examination results.

Exam Dates and Results

• Third-term exams will run from June 10 to 19 across all grades in public and private schools, following the ministry curriculum.
• Final results will be released between June 30 and July 2.
• Re-examinations are scheduled for July 4 to 10, with results announced on July 14.

The third term spans 11 weeks, totalling 52 instructional days, part of the 185 school days required for the academic year.

Next Academic Year and Breaks

The 2025-2026 school year will officially begin on August 25, 2025.

• Winter break: December 15, 2025 – January 5, 2026
• Spring break: March 23 – April 13, 2026
• Schools must complete at least 182 instructional days before closing, with the academic year set to conclude no earlier than June 26, 2026.

Adult Education Grade 12 Exams

The ministry has also released the end-of-term exam schedule for adult education Grade 12 students:

• Exams run from June 23 to July 3, with one subject tested per day from 4pm to 6pm.
• The series starts with Mathematics on June 23, followed by English (June 24), Social Studies (June 25), Physics (July 1), Arabic (July 2), and concludes with Biology or Chemistry on July 3.

Unified National Framework

The academic calendar, approved by the UAE Cabinet, applies to all public and private schools, regardless of whether they follow the Ministry’s or international curricula. While schools are allowed flexibility, they must comply with a minimum of 182 school days or their equivalent in teaching hours.

Private schools in Abu Dhabi can now temporarily suspend operations for a minimum of one year and up to three academic years, subject to prior approval from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

The updated school licensing policy, now available on ADEK’s official website, outlines a detailed framework for temporary closures, including application procedures, stakeholder communication, and legal obligations.

How Temporary Closures Will Work

Schools seeking to suspend operations must formally request approval from ADEK at least six months before the end of the academic year. The request must include:

• A clear reason for the temporary closure
• The intended closure date (which must align with the academic year’s end)
• Plans to support student transfers to other schools
• A communication strategy for parents, staff, and stakeholders

Once approved, schools are required to notify all stakeholders within seven days. If a school remains closed beyond three academic years, its licence will be automatically revoked. Reopening would then require reapplying for a new licence.

Permanent closures are also permitted through a separate formal request process.

8 Key Responsibilities for Temporarily Closing Schools

Schools approved for temporary closure must fulfil eight key obligations:

1. Honour all legal and contractual obligations to staff, students, and parents
2. Clear all legal and financial obligations
3. Settle dues with staff per UAE labour laws
4. Refund unearned tuition fees to parents
5. Remove transfer restrictions via the eSIS system
6. Cancel staff work permits through the PASS system at least 20 working days before closure
7. Submit all student records to ADEK within 20 working days of closure
8. Issue final academic reports and transfer certificates to parents

ADEK may also enforce a forced closure and revoke a school’s licence if it fails to comply with these regulations.

Licence Types Explained

ADEK issues three types of licences under the Private Schools Regulatory Framework (Executive Council Resolution No. 26 of 2013):

1. Provisional Licence

• Granted to new schools
• Valid for one academic year, renewable once
• Cannot be extended beyond one year from school start date
• Renewal must be requested 60 days before expiry

2. General Licence

• Issued after a school passes an inspection with a rating of at least “acceptable”
• Valid for two years
• Renewal applications must be submitted at least 60 days in advance

3. Accredited Licence

• Granted, following a comprehensive inspection by ADEK or a third party
• Valid for up to five years
• Only for schools meeting ADEK’s minimum accreditation standards

Revocation Authority

ADEK’s Director General retains the right to revoke any type of licence—Provisional, General, or Accredited—if a school fails to meet regulatory requirements.

The updated licensing policy came into effect in Term 1 of the 2024–2025 academic year. Full compliance is expected by the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.