Secondary School Absenteeism in the Gulf Countries: Narrative Review

Problematic/chronic school absenteeism has long been a significant concern for educators, parents, and politicians, as it involves students staying away from school for various reasons. There is widespread agreement that regular attendance is crucial for academic success, particularly in secondary school, which is vital for university admission or preparation for entering the labour market. Research on attendance/absence from the Global North and South is briefly summarized, followed by a detailed narrative review of existing literature from Gulf countries (primarily Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). Compared to international literature, studies from Gulf countries focus mainly on locally specific risk factors of absenteeism, such as student-related (health, gender) and family-related (as polygamy and socio-economic issues). Some other cultural and structural factors are noted, such as the specific absence patterns of non-citizens and the role of holidays and the school calendar. Significantly less information was found on the impact of absenteeism and on the ways in which education systems and schools address this problem. Given the variable rigour of available scholarships, the main contribution of the study is the mapping of themes covered. This study also identifies gaps in knowledge and also indicates what recommendations for educational practice and policy in Gulf countries can be drawn from the available evidence.