School absence in Armenia is not only a matter of discipline. Current regulations establish specific absence thresholds, and exceeding them may require students to take additional examinations. In certain cases, promotion to the next grade is determined separately based on examination results.
According to Iravaban.net, the rules are established by Order No. 388-N of the Minister of Education and Science, with the current version in effect since February 12, 2026.
More Than 200 Hours of Absence During the School Year
Under Point 43 of the regulation, students in grades 1-8 and 10-11 who are absent for more than 200 hours during the academic year must take additional written examinations in all subjects included in the curriculum.
Point 44 establishes the same 200-hour threshold for students in grades 9 and 12.
When this threshold is exceeded, the question of whether the student can advance is determined between August 20 and August 30, based on the results of the additional examinations.
A Lower Threshold Applies in Grade 12
A separate rule applies to students in the 12th grade.
Under Point 42, except for educational institutions in Tavush Province, a 12th-grade student who is absent for more than 60 hours during any semester will have semester grades determined through additional written assignments.
Unlike the general 200-hour annual threshold, this requirement is calculated separately for each semester.
Students and parents should therefore pay particular attention to accumulated absences during the final year of school.
What Happens if a Student Receives an Unsatisfactory Grade?
Under Point 8 of the regulation, students in grades 5-12 who receive an annual grade of 1-3 in at least one subject are required to take a re-examination.
The first re-examination period is scheduled for July 2-8. If the result remains unsatisfactory, another opportunity is provided from August 20-25.
If a student receives unsatisfactory annual grades in two or more subjects, the regulation provides for repeating the grade.
There is also a separate age-related rule. Under Point 35, a student who has reached the age of 19 and has not passed the required examinations leaves the educational institution but may continue education through another available form.
What Determines Promotion to the Next Grade?
A new principle has applied since the 2025-2026 academic year.
Under Point 2 of the regulation, students in grades 5-8 and 10-11 are promoted to the next grade if they receive annual grades of 4-10 in all subjects included in the curriculum.
A different assessment system applies to grades 1-4. Instead of numerical grades, students receive descriptive assessments, and promotion is determined on that basis.
What Information Can Parents Request?
The school principal is responsible for establishing the schedule for additional examinations and re-examinations and informing the ministry and the relevant authorized body.
Representatives of the ministry and the authorized body may also participate in the examinations.
Parents can therefore request the examination schedule from the school. They may also ask the school to confirm the exact number of hours their child has been absent, particularly when the student is approaching one of the established thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a student has missed many classes because of illness?
According to Iravaban.net’s explanation of Points 43 and 44, the 200-hour threshold is based on the number of hours of absence without distinguishing between the reasons for those absences. Parents should therefore monitor the accumulated number of hours and clarify the situation with the school when necessary.
Will a student repeat the grade after receiving an unsatisfactory grade in one subject?
Not automatically. A student with an unsatisfactory annual grade in one subject must take a re-examination. The first opportunity is from July 2-8 and, if necessary, another is provided from August 20-25.
According to the regulation described by Iravaban.net, repeating the grade applies when a student has unsatisfactory annual grades in two or more subjects.
Summary
Under the rules established by Order No. 388-N, students who accumulate more than 200 hours of absence during an academic year may be required to take additional written examinations in all curriculum subjects.
For 12th-grade students, except those attending institutions in Tavush Province, exceeding 60 hours of absence in a semester can result in semester grades being determined through additional written assignments.
Students receiving an annual grade of 1-3 in one subject are given re-examination opportunities, while unsatisfactory grades in two or more subjects may result in repeating the grade. For the relevant grades, promotion generally requires annual grades of 4-10 in all curriculum subjects.
Notice: This material is provided for general legal information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Notice: The image accompanying the original material was generated using artificial intelligence tools.
