9.5.4.4 Absences from study for primary and secondary students

Where a primary or secondary student ceases to participate in the normal activities of a course for more than fifteen days in any year without reasonable cause, a delegate may review the student’s eligibility for continuing benefits under the Scheme and may suspend the payment of allowances.

If a delegate is satisfied that the student’s absence is due to sickness or reasons beyond the student’s control, the absences may be disregarded. A decision to disregard absences is not a formal decision with appeal rights, however the delegate should record the decision appropriately and advise the student. 

Where a delegate is satisfied that the absences are without reasonable cause and the student’s progress has been affected, a delegate may determine that the education allowance and/or other benefits will be suspended under the MRCAETS Instrument.

If a student resumes satisfactory progress, a delegate may determine suspended benefits are restored. If benefits are restored, then regular payments may resume but there will not be any back pay for the period of lost entitlement.  A decision to restore payment must be made.