Attendance
Choice of Learning Mode
For schools offering both face-to-face and distance learning, parents may choose their preferred learning mode as per the deadlines given by their schools, but must commit to the chosen learning mode for the full term.
Where Students of Determination follow a distance learning mode due to their increased vulnerability or the inability of the school to provide the appropriate measures to ensure safety, they must be provided with all learning materials to enable their academic, emotional, and behavioral progress. Parents and students must be provided with support to access the learning materials which should all be appropriately differentiated according to needs and levels. Their attendance will be marked accordingly.
Student Absence
These policies should be read in conjunction with the Policy 54 and 55 of the Private Schools Policy and Guidance Manual 2014/15.
Attendance is compulsory during all modes of learning (face-to-face or distance learning). A student is marked absent if they fail to attend classes.
An absence is only authorized for the following reasons, confirmed by a signed letter from Parents/Guardians or by way of official documents to attest for the full duration of the absence:
- Illness
- Death of a first- or second-degree family member
- Scheduled doctor appointments
- Official community task
- Mandatory appearance before an official body
- Essential urgent family travel for matters such as medical treatment or the death of a family member
Schools shall develop a system by which students at school and home can “check-in” every day to keep track of attendance. Schools shall have processes and procedures in place to collect/maintain accurate records and track student attendance, which shall be entered into eSIS daily.
Schools shall immediately communicate with parents in the case of an unauthorized absence, a cumulative absence rate less than 10% in accordance with the school’s own policy, and/or a cumulative absence rate of 10%.
Parents shall notify the school in advance of any planned absences and submit the required documentation.
Where exemption to return to school is granted to any Student of Determination to ensure their health and safety or that of other students, staff, and community members, schools shall provide clear and comprehensive educational provision to ensure their ongoing academic, social, behavioral, and emotional progress during distance learning. All decisions must consider the needs of the child and their parents and all efforts must be made to accommodate the Student of Determination appropriately.
Staff Absence
School staff shall attend the full workday as per the school’s calendar in accordance with the official contracted work hours.
Schools shall develop a system by which staff at school and home can “check-in” every day to keep track of attendance.
Schools shall have processes and procedures in place to collect/maintain accurate records and track staff attendance, which shall be entered into PASS daily. Submitted data should clearly identify if attendance was face-to-face or via distance learning.
Upon consultation and agreement with the school, the continuation of remote work for certain staff may be necessary for health reasons.
School staff shall inform the school in advance of their absence, when possible, to allow for planning that will ensure continuity of learning for students.