ABU DHABI // Thousands of school pupils will be sitting critical examinations, such as the ACT or A Levels, during Ramadan this year.
The holy month of fasting is expected to begin on June 6 and end on July 5. Public school pupils across the country will sit their Grade 12 examinations from June 12 to 23, according to a preliminary schedule issued by the Abu Dhabi Education Council.
The last day of school for pupils is June 23.
American curriculum private school pupils who are sitting the ACT test will do so on June 11.
British curriculum private school pupils will sit their GCSE and A-level exams from mid-May to the end of June.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, which regulates private schools in Dubai, said it will discuss the examination timetables with schools.
“Guidelines will be formulated based on consultations to accommodate the needs of the fasting students and different curriculum requirements,” said Jameela Al Muhairi, chief of Dubai School Inspection Bureau (DSIB).
“As for the international exams, KHDA has consulted with the British Council and major examination bodies, which will run the GCSE, IGCSE, O, A and IB examinations as per their published international schedule.”
The Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents the seven largest exam bodies offering qualifications in the United Kingdom, including the GCSEs and A levels, said the examination timetable is reviewed annually and published a year in advance of the following exams, according to spokeswoman Katherine Shirley.
“Because of the small window in which examinations can be taken to fit in with the school teaching calendar and university admissions, it is not possible to change the overall period when examinations are sat,” said Mrs Shirley.
“There are usually small changes and these are the result of several factors, including the move from modular to linear examinations, suggestions from schools to ease the administrative burden, and religious events. This year’s timetable was set in June last year and no timetable changes were made purely to accommodate Ramadan.”
The JCQ said: “In such a large, complex system where there is a large number of candidates taking examinations and a diverse range of subjects available, it is not always possible to meet each and every request.
“If a small change can be made for any one group that does not impact negatively on most students, it will, quite rightly, be considered – but these are made before the timetable is published.”
Michael Lambert, headmaster of Dubai College, said that meant that even if schools reduced their daily school hours during Ramadan, “those students, whether Muslim or otherwise, who wish to sit and receive a grade for a UK-based examination, which takes places in the afternoon, will be required to remain in school and take their examinations at the appropriate time under exam conditions.”
Last year, when Ramadan began on June 18, public and private schools were permitted to cut their hours by starting later and ending earlier in the day.
The shortened schedule was meant to help fasting Muslim students, Mohammed Darwish, the KHDA’s chief of regulations and permits commission, said at the time.
“It is important that fasting students are supported to continue with normal school life,” he said.
“To accommodate their needs, the school should ensure they do not engage in demanding physical activities and are not exposed to heat to reduce the risk of dehydration.”
During Ramadan, eating and drinking at schools are restricted to designated areas for non-fasting students and staff “out of respect for the holy month and for fasting students, staff and parents”, Mr Darwish said.
Both the Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Ministry of Education said the examination schedules for public school students will not be changed to accommodate fasting during Ramadan. As Ramadan begins earlier in the academic year, Mr Lambert said that in 2017, the dates for Eid Al Fitr, a national holiday, may clash with the examination dates.
“What is unclear is what will happen next year,” said Mr Lambert.
“Technically, all schools must be on holiday during Eid. However, there are always GCSE and A Level examinations right the way up until the end of June and again, should students wish to sit and receive a grade for a UK based examination then they will need to attend school and sit the examinations under test conditions. This will have implications for schools who wish to remain compliant with the UAE school calendar but also wish to provide access to the full complement of UK qualifications.”
rpennington@thenational.ae