By dubailife 
After a two-month break, several schools in the UAE are set to reopen on Monday, August 26, 2024. In the first week following the summer holidays, some schools typically experience 15 to 25 percent absenteeism, according to UAE principals.
Many expatriates take advantage of the lower airfare prices during peak travel season, as flight costs usually double in late August with the start of the back-to-school period.
Abhilasha Singh, Principal of Shining Star International School, noted, “High absenteeism in the first week after school reopens is quite specific to the UAE. I’m speaking from the perspective of Indian curriculum schools. The primary reason is the high cost of airfare.”
Singh emphasized that all students are expected to be present on the first day of school. “We encourage parents to prioritize attendance, as it’s closely linked to student performance. However, many parents, particularly in low- to mid-income expatriate families, choose to save on travel costs. Typically, we see about 75 percent attendance in the first week after schools reopen in August.”
Potential Consequences
Late arrivals are required to meet with their designated senior leadership team, and the school’s attendance policy, including potential consequences, is communicated to parents.
“Parents need to take responsibility for covering a portion of the days missed. We’ve noticed that attendance usually stabilizes by the end of the first week. There should be some regulation on fare pricing. It’s unfair to low- and middle-income individuals who want to visit their home countries but are burdened by high airfares, which can have a significant impact on their finances,” she added.
Other headteachers echoed these concerns, stressing that students need to return to school on time to regain their learning rhythm after a long break.
Sangita Chima, Principal of Amity School Dubai, said, “We see about 15 to 25 percent absenteeism in the Foundational and Primary Sections. Interestingly, the Board Classes usually have 100 percent attendance. Returning to school on time helps reduce stress and anxiety.”
60-70 Percent Fare Increase
Khaleej Times spoke with a few parents to understand why they might return late for the school reopening.
Ami Rasheed, who is currently in the southern state of Kerala, also chose to return on less busy days to save on airfare.
“We plan to return by the end of August or, at the latest, within one week of the school reopening. My husband will return on August 4 to resume work, but my children and I will come back later. He’ll buy our tickets once he’s back in Dubai, depending on the prices at that time, but no later than a week after schools reopen.
“My daughter is in Grade 8, and my son is in Grade 3. During the first week, induction programs usually take place before regular classes begin. My husband found that the one-way fare from Kozhikode to Dubai is over Dh1,000 per person, which is a 60-70 percent increase compared to now. So, it makes sense to wait a bit longer to see if the prices drop,” added Ami.
Family Obligations
Aanchal Tomar, currently in Rohtak, a city in the Indian state of Haryana, shared, “While we don’t usually do this every year, this time I have a family obligation on August 30 that I don’t want to miss. I came to India with my children after a year and a half since I couldn’t make it last summer due to unforeseen circumstances. This year, my extended family will be gathering at my brother’s house in Rohtak for the occasion, so I’ll be seeing some relatives after several years. I also want my elderly aunts and uncles to meet my children; for some, it’ll be their first time meeting them.”
Aanchal added, “We’ll only be missing a few early school days, and ticket prices around that time are skyrocketing. Considering all these factors, I believe my children can join school a few days later.”
Catch-Up Sessions
Although not ideal, school leaders ensure that teachers prepare personalized plans to help each child catch up on missed lessons and reintegrate seamlessly.
Ghadeer Abu-Shamat, Superintendent/CEO of GEMS Al Khaleej International School and Senior Vice President of Education at GEMS Education, stated, “We’ve noticed that a small number of students return to school late. While this can be challenging, we work closely with families to ensure every student can resume their education as quickly as possible.”
Abu-Shamat emphasized that returning to school on time is crucial for maintaining educational continuity and ensuring students don’t miss out on important learning opportunities.
“It’s important to remember that being back on time not only supports students’ academic progress but also allows them to reconnect with friends, meet their new teachers, and smoothly adapt to new phases in their educational journey, especially if they’re transitioning to upper school,” added Abu-Shamat.
CREDIT : Khaleejtimes