Policies

1. Purpose and Importance of Attendance

Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. This guideline sets out the school's expectations for student attendance, explains how attendance is recorded, and clarifies the consequences of falling below the required threshold. It applies to all students enrolled at Villa International High School

Consistent attendance matters for the following reasons:

• Syllabus coverage: A'Level syllabi are content-heavy and cumulative. Missed lessons create gaps that compound over time, making later topics harder to follow and revise.

• Continuity of learning: Concepts, practicals, and skills taught in class (especially in Mathematics, Sciences, and coursework-based subjects) are difficult to fully replicate through self-study.

• Assessment readiness: Mock examinations, internal assessments, and coursework deadlines are scheduled in line with syllabus progress. Absence disrupts a student's preparedness for these milestones.

• Participation and community: Attendance supports engagement in class discussion, group work, and the broader school community, all of which contribute to holistic development.

• Eligibility: As outlined below, attendance directly determines a student's eligibility to sit examinations and participate in school activities.

2. Minimum Attendance Requirement

Each student must maintain a minimum attendance of 80% per semester, calculated across all scheduled school days for that semester.

Attendance percentage is calculated using the point system described in Section 4, based on records maintained on Dhasvehi ( the school’s online platform).

3. Eligibility for Examinations and School Activities

Attendance of 80% or above in a semester is a prerequisite for the following:

• Sitting school’s semester examinations, including mock examination.

• Participating in school activities, including sports events, clubs, competitions, trips, and other extracurricular programmes.

Students whose attendance falls below 80% will be identified by the class teacher and referred to the respective Subject Lead/ Career Guidance Counsellor.  Depending on individual circumstances,an appeal for special consideration may be offered before examinations or activities begin.

4. Dhasvehi  attendance point system

Attendance is recorded on Dhasvei each day using the following point values. A student's attendance percentage for the semester is derived from the total points earned against the total points possible.

5. Definitions and Guidance for Each Category

5.1 General Leave (2 points)

This leave is granted as official leave when a student is required to be absent for a school-sanctioned or officially recognised reasons, this includes the following subcategories. Leave granted under this category will be awarded with full attendance points (2 points)  for the leave approved period. 

5.1.1 Leave Request for Participation in External Educational and Development Activities 

This category of leave applies to students participating in national or international activities organized by external organizations. Students who have been officially selected, nominated, invited, or approved to represent their school, the Maldives, or participate in a recognized activity may apply for leave under this category.

To be eligible, the activity must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• The activity is officially recognized, endorsed, or organized by a Government ministry, department, agency, statutory body, or recognized national association.

• The activity is organized by an international organization that is legally registered in another country or formally recognized as an international organization.

• The activity is organized by an external organization and has received prior approval from the school. This includes competitions, conferences, training programmes, workshops, exhibitions, and similar activities that are not included in the Ministry of Education's official activities calendar.

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In deciding whether to grant leave, the school will consider:

• The credibility and reputation of the organizing organization.

• The relevance and educational or developmental value of the activity.

• The potential benefits to the student's knowledge, skills, personal development, and future educational or career aspirations.

• The duration of the requested leave and its likely impact on the student's academic progress and attendance.

• Whether the student has provided appropriate documentary evidence, such as an official invitation, selection letter, registration confirmation, or a letter from the organizing body.

5.1.2- School activities conducted during session time

For school activities conducted during class hours, students must submit a separate Leave of Absence request for each day and for the class(es)/subject(s) missed. Leave will be considered only after the student's participation has been verified by the coordinating staff member. This leave may be granted for the following reasons

• Attending a school-organised activities, event, trip, or excursion.

• Representing the school at an official function, such as a national award ceremony, an inter-school competition, or a former-student/alumni awards ceremony.

5.1.3- Emergency leave

This category of leave may be granted for unavoidable and urgent circumstances arising from natural or human-made events beyond the student's control. Each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and appropriate supporting evidence may be required.

Examples include:

• Death of a family member, relative, or a close family friend.

• Weather-related or natural disruptions affecting an individual student's ability to travel to school (e.g. localized flooding) that do not result in a school-wide closure. If the school issues a general closure or leave notice, the absence will be treated as Official Leave.

• Internet or technical failures preventing a student from attending an online class or submitting online coursework. A parent or guardian must provide an email explaining the disruption. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be recorded as Excused Leave.

• Attendance at a sibling's or immediate family member's school event (e.g. graduation ceremony or sports day) that takes place during school hours. A parent or guardian's email is required, and the absence may be recorded as Excused Leave.

Please note: Family travel that is not aligned with the school calendar is generally not eligible for Official, Medical, or Excused Leave and will be recorded as Absent, unless prior approval has been granted by the school management under exceptional circumstances.

The following points will be considered in granting this leave of absence.

• Genuineness of the cause/root cause mentioned as a reason for absence.

• Notice/advice of national/international authorities related to the incident/root cause.

• The potential obstructions for the students in attending physically to the school.

• Regulations of Ministry of Education 

5.2 Medical Leave 

Granted when a student is unwell and a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner or hospital is submitted. Medical certificate must be submitted on the day the student returns to school. Leave granted under this category will be awarded with full attendance points (2 points)  for the leave approved period. 

Certificates submitted just before an exam/ activity due to ineligibility, backdated certificates, multiples certificate to cover for  absences..etc will not be accepted.   Examples include:

• Illness requiring a doctor's visit, with a certificate provided.

• Hospitalisation or a documented ongoing medical condition.

• Medical appointments (e.g. surgery follow-up, physiotherapy) supported by documentation.

• Quarantine or isolation due to a contagious illness without hospital admission — may be treated as Medical Leave if a doctor's note is provided, or Excused if only a parent's email is available.

5.3 Excused Leave (1 point)

Granted for non-medical leave that is legitimate but does not carry the same weight as official school business. Leave granted under this category will be awarded with half attendance points (1 point out of 2 points)  for the leave approved period. Examples include:

• A parent's email citing a family reason, such as attending a sibling's or relative's graduation.

• A one-day illness or medical condition that was not taken to hospital and has no certificate, but supported by a parent's email.

• Attending to a personal or administrative matter (e.g. a passport, visa, or immigration appointment) confirmed by a parent.   

• A driving test, university/college interview, or scholarship interview, confirmed by a parent.

• Attending a family emergency of a serious nature, such as a death in the immediate family, extended family or a  close family friend, a house fire, or a natural disaster. 

• Any other circumstance the school designates as an official school duty or an unavoidable emergency.

5.4 Late (1.5 points)

Applied when a student arrives after the official start time of the school day or a specific class. Examples include:

• Traffic, transport delays, or a missed bus.

• Short personal or family delays communicated to the school on the day.

Repeated lateness may be reviewed separately from overall attendance, as persistent lateness affects classroom continuity even where points are only partially deducted.

5.5 Absent (0 points)

Applied when a student does not attend and no supporting communication, document, or acceptable reason has been provided within the required timeframe. Examples include:

• No communication from a parent or guardian regarding the absence.

• A reason given that does not meet the criteria for official, medical, or excused leave.

• Failure to submit a medical certificate within the required timeframe for what was initially reported as medical leave.

6. Procedures and Responsibilities

6.1 For Parents and Guardians

• Notify the class teacher or school office in advance where possible, or as early as practicable on the day of absence.

• Submit medical certificates within the timeframe specified by the school 

• Provide reasons for absence in writing (email or the school's official communication channel) to support an Excused classification.

6.2 For Class Teachers / Coordinators

• Mark attendance accurately and promptly on Dhasvehi each day, using the point categories in Section 4.

• Review supporting documents (medical certificates, parent emails) before finalising a category.

• Monitor cumulative attendance each semester and flag students approaching or below the 80% threshold.

6.3 For School Management

• Review borderline or disputed cases and make the final decision on attendance classification.

• Communicate with parents where attendance falls below the required threshold, and outline any options available before examinations or activities.

• Periodically review this guideline and update scenarios as new situations arise.

7. General Notes

This guideline is intended to provide clarity and consistency; it is not exhaustive. Situations not explicitly covered here will be assessed by school management in line with the spirit of these guidelines, recognising genuine need while protecting the integrity of the 80% attendance requirement for all students.