‘UK exams won’t be moved for Ramadan’

London: School examinations in the UK this summer will not be brought forward to help fasting students during Ramadan, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) insisted on Thursday.

Many people had spoken out against the possibility of adjusting the dates and times of this summer’s GCSE and A-level tests in light of the fact the holy month in 2016 is expected to begin on June 6. UK exams usually take place between the end of May and late June, but it was reported on Thursday that many would be held earlier — reducing the amount of time students have to revise — or held in the morning, when those who are fasting are likely to have more energy and better levels of concentration.

The Daily Mail, which splashed the story on its front page, said: “Similar measures are likely to be in place for at least five years, until Ramadan no longer clashes with the exam season.” The paper also quoted a spokesperson for pressure group Christian Concern criticising the move, while other media outlets including The Daily Telegraph, The Times and Metro played the story up on their page one.

But the JCQ said there had been a ‘clear misunderstanding’ and pointed out that the exam timetable had been finalised more than a year ago.

“The shift has been very minimal if at all — the exam schedule tends to follow a very stable pattern,” a spokesperson told Gulf News. “Any changes are more likely to be governed by things like the number of entrants.

“There has been a clear misunderstanding in some parts of the media as to how the GCSE and A-level timetable is set and the impact religious events, such as Ramadan, Easter and Passover, have on it. It is important to note that the timetable for 2016 was drafted over a year ago, is published, and won’t be changing.

“Each year the timetable is reviewed to ensure it meets the current needs of students, schools and colleges. This review includes a consultation and considers comments from a wide range of stakeholders including schools, colleges and religious groups. However, each year there are only minimal changes.

“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. Exam boards will always aim to be as fair as possible to all.

“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.”

Ramadan also fell during the exam season last year, but it only began on June 18 so had less of an impact on pupils who were fasting.

Muslims make up about 5 per cent of the UK’s population.

— Martin Downer is a journalist based in the UK