Schools in the UAE operating under the Ministry of Education curriculum have officially ended the practice of accepting medical sick notes via messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram. Parents are now required to submit medical excuses through a standardized five-step electronic form, accessible via a school-provided link or QR code, to ensure attendance records are formally processed.
- Public and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum are included in this new mandate.
- Parents of students in other systems should consult their specific institution policy.
- A standardized five-step electronic form must now be used for all medical excuses.
This new mandate applies specifically to public and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum.
Parents of students in other systems, such as British, American, or Indian CBSE schools, should consult their specific institution policy, as attendance procedures vary by regulator. To complete the new submission process, parents must: first, access the school dedicated link or scan the official QR code; second, log in using the student Ministry email account; third, accurately input the student number, full name, and grade level; fourth, upload a clear image of the medical certificate issued by a physician; and fifth, submit the form and retain any confirmation notice provided by the system.
School administrations clarified that this transition is necessary to prevent records from becoming scattered across multiple communication channels and to ensure medical certificates are directly linked to official student data.
Despite uploading a digital copy, parents are strictly advised to retain the original medical certificate, as schools may request physical verification of the document. Parents are encouraged to verify access to their child Ministry email and keep their student number readily available to avoid delays during illness. While informal notification of an absence via WhatsApp may still be permitted by some schools, such messages will no longer serve as an official substitute for the required medical documentation submitted through the electronic portal.
