New Guidelines for Justifying Student Absences Due to Illness Issued by Slovak Ministry of Education
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Loading... - Asher Freeman
- 02 Aug 2024
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The Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth (MŠVVaM) of the Slovak Republic has issued new guidelines aimed at unifying and clarifying the procedure for excusing student absences due to illness. This initiative targets kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools, with the aim of improving the fulfillment of compulsory school attendance and pre-primary education. The guidelines follow an amendment to the Education Act, which came into effect on June 1.
Objectives of the Guidelines
Uniform Procedure: The guidelines aim to establish a consistent and fair approach to justifying absences, enhancing attendance management and fostering trust between schools and families.
Enhanced Communication: Emphasis is placed on the importance of timely communication between legal representatives, students, and schools regarding absences and health issues that might impact attendance.
Key Points of the Guidelines
Absence Justification by Legal Representatives:
- For absences due to illness lasting up to five consecutive teaching days (primary and secondary schools) or seven consecutive days (kindergartens with compulsory pre-primary education), no doctor’s certificate is required.
- For longer absences, a doctor’s certificate must be submitted.
- In cases of repeated absences or suspicions of intentional excuses, the school may request a medical certificate even for shorter absences.
Immediate Notification:
- Legal representatives or adult students must inform the school immediately about the reason for any absence and provide necessary documentation.
- Any health issues that could affect attendance must also be reported to the school.
Record Keeping and Communication:
- Class teachers are responsible for recording attendance and maintaining communication with legal representatives.
- Schools should retain excuses until the end of the school year.
School Regulations:
- School principals are tasked with ensuring that school rules clearly outline the procedures for excusing absences.
- In cases of non-compliance with compulsory school attendance, relevant authorities should be notified.
Specific Provisions for Kindergartens:
- The guidelines specifically apply to children completing compulsory pre-primary education.
- For absences exceeding seven consecutive days or more than 14 days per month, a medical certificate is required.
Requirements for Primary and Secondary Schools:
- A medical certificate is required for absences lasting more than five consecutive days or more than ten days in total per month.
The Ministry of Education’s guidelines aim to streamline the process of justifying student absences, ensuring a fair and consistent approach across all educational institutions. By improving communication and documentation procedures, the Ministry hopes to enhance overall attendance management and foster better relationships between schools and families. For more detailed information, the Ministry's website provides comprehensive guidelines.
