The schedule for O and A-level examinations will not be changed to accommodate Muslim students during the holy month of Ramzan despite earlier reports claiming otherwise, examination boards have said according to The Guardian.
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), which represents the major exam agencies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said there had been a “clear misunderstanding in some parts of the media” over the 2016 exam schedule after it announced that the timetable had taken Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting, into account.
The council said the timing of Ramzan had been considered in the same way as other events and that the timetable was not open to change.
Earlier, some British media outlets had stated that the timetable was rescheduled to accommodate Ramzan – a month where Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight.
However, the Joint Council for Qualifications said, “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,” it added.
Ramzan is expected to start on June 7 this year. After discussions, the exam boards decided to make minor adjustments to the timetable, which included moving some popular exams to before the start of Ramzan and holding others in the mornings.