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Conduct & Standards

How we build a respectful school.

Clear expectations help students thrive. Below you'll find our policies on positive behaviour, attendance, examinations, and the framework we follow for handling conduct issues — based on UAE Ministry of Education standards.

UPS follows the UAE Ministry of Education's Policy on Managing Behavior in General Education Institutions (Ministerial Decree No. 619, 2017). This page outlines how we recognise positive behaviour and address behavioural offences — fairly, transparently, and in line with national standards.

Article 7

Rewarding positive behaviour.

The positive and exemplary behaviour of learners is rewarded according to their age, school grade, mental and physical abilities — and in a variety of meaningful ways.

  1. Each learner shall be deemed to have positive and exemplary behaviour under this policy.
  2. Reward should be done by direct praise for positive and exemplary behaviour.
  3. Equal opportunities are provided to all students to reward their positive behaviours.
  4. The reward should correlate in type and degree with the behaviour being rewarded.
  5. Reward should focus on the behaviour of the student, not on their personality.
  6. Methods of reward should vary between moral, material, and educational rewards.
Article 8

Behavioural offences, four levels.

Offences are classified into four levels according to seriousness and impact. Each level has its own procedures, documented and managed under the school's behaviour management framework.

Level 1

Minor Offences

4 marks each
  1. Lateness to morning assembly (without acceptable excuse), or tardiness to first period of more than 10 minutes.
  2. Entering or exiting the classroom during lessons without permission, or not attending classes without an excuse.
  3. Non-compliance with school or PE uniform, or failure to maintain it.
  4. Failure to bring books and school supplies.
  5. Failure to follow rules of positive behaviour inside or outside the classroom — keeping quiet, demonstrating self-discipline.
  6. Sleeping during lessons or formal school activities (after confirming the student's health status).
  7. Eating during lessons or morning assembly without justification or permission.
  8. Non-compliance with submitting homework or assignments on time.
  9. Bringing means of communication such as a mobile phone.
  10. Misuse of electronic devices (tablets, electronic games, headphones) during lessons.
  11. Any similar offences at the discretion of the school's Behaviour Management Committee.
Level 2

Mild Offences

8 marks each
  1. Repeating a first-degree offence.
  2. Absence from school before or after vacations, public holidays, weekends, or prior to exams.
  3. Exiting school without permission, or truancy during the school day.
  4. Inciting fights, threatening, or intimidating peers.
  5. Breaches of common decency or societal customs — including imitating the opposite sex in clothing, appearance, or use of cosmetics.
  6. School graffiti and vandalism of school furniture or buses.
  7. Photographing, possessing, disseminating, or circulating photos of school staff or students without permission.
  8. Verbal abuse.
  9. Smoking on school premises or possession of smoking paraphernalia.
  10. Any similar offences at the discretion of the school's Behaviour Management Committee.
Level 3

Serious Offences

12 marks each
  1. Repeating a second-degree offence.
  2. Possession or promotion of unauthorised media or materials in violation of values, morals, or public order.
  3. Defaming or insulting peers or staff on social media.
  4. Bringing or possessing bladed weapons or similar items within the school.
  5. Sexual harassment within the school.
  6. Physical assault on peers or school workers (bullying).
  7. Theft or concealment.
  8. Destruction, vandalism, or seizure of school property and facilities.
  9. Insulting heavenly religions or provoking sectarian strife in school.
  10. Tampering with or vandalising school buses, or harming road users.
  11. Any similar offence at the discretion of the school's Behaviour Management Committee.
Level 4

Extremely Serious Offences

20 marks each
  1. Repeating a third-degree offence.
  2. Bringing, possessing, or using firearms or bladed weapons within the school.
  3. Sexual assault within the school.
  4. Physical assault leading to injury to peers or school staff.
  5. Leaking exam questions or participating in such acts in any form.
  6. Causing fires within school premises.
  7. Impersonating others in school transactions, or falsifying school documents.
  8. Insulting political, religious, or social symbols of the country.
  9. Possessing, promoting, or using drugs, narcotic medications, or psychotropic substances within school — or coming to school under their influence.
  10. Broadcasting or promoting extremist, expiatory, or atheistic ideas against the country's social and political policies.
  11. Any similar offences at the discretion of the school's Behaviour Management Committee.
Attendance & Conduct

Daily expectations.

A. Attendance & Punctuality

Regular and punctual attendance is essential. Parents and guardians are asked to cooperate with the school in helping their children arrive on time and complete school requirements.

A student is considered late if they arrive after the bell at 8:00 AM. Late arrivals must obtain an excuse slip from the Guidance Counsellor's Office before joining class. Habitual late arrivals will result in disciplinary action.

1. Line Formation

As soon as the morning bell rings, students are expected to form their lines promptly and quietly, ready for the Flag Ceremony.

2. Absence

Absence without reason is not allowed. Upon returning, students must present a written excuse from a parent or guardian to the class adviser. Children returning after a contagious illness must secure a clearance slip from the school clinic.

Any student who is absent more than 20% of the total school days in a year may be dropped according to Department of Education regulations. Parents are updated on accumulated absences during quarterly progress reports.

3. Early Dismissal & Leave

Parents wishing to take their child home before dismissal time must request assistance from the Guidance Counsellor to secure a signed permit from the subject teacher. Reasons may include document renewals, scheduled check-ups, or family emergencies. Final approval comes from the Principal's Office.

Students who become ill or have minor accidents at school may be collected by parents earlier than dismissal time after securing a clearance from the school clinic.

B. Tests & Examinations

Quizzes are given as the teacher sees fit. Unit tests follow the completion of each unit of study. Quarterly/Periodical Examinations are scheduled four times per school year for Kindergarten, Grade School, and High School.

Absences during Quarterly Examination days must be avoided. Under unavoidable circumstances such as sickness or accident, students should make up examinations as soon as possible.

C. Progress Report

The Quarterly Progress Report is the official update to parents regarding student performance. It is issued after each grading period.

Parents and guardians should inspect, sign, and return the Progress Report to the class adviser within three (3) days.

Read the full handbook.

For complete details on student conduct, expectations, and procedures, see our Students & Parents Handbook.