As Ramadan draws near, schools across the UAE are rethinking how they handle exams and assessments, aiming to make things easier for students who’ll be fasting while still keeping academic standards intact.
Ramadan is expected to start around February 19, depending on the moon sighting, which means it will overlap with major board exams. CBSE exams kick off on February 17, while ISC and ICSE exams for Classes 12 and 10 begin on February 12 and February 17. That means some students will be sitting for important tests while fasting.
School leaders say they’re working hard to find the right balance between being fair academically and looking after students’ wellbeing. They’re doing things like shortening exam times, spreading tests further apart, rethinking supervision rotas, and trying to avoid internal assessments during Ramadan wherever they can.
When tests can’t be moved, many schools are making them less demanding, so fasting students aren’t put at a disadvantage. Schools are also making sure parents and students know what’s happening well in advance through official updates, giving families time to prepare for the holy month.
Some schools are going the extra mile by recording lessons so students can watch them at home after iftar. It’s a way to help them keep up with their studies when their energy levels might be lower during the day.
Following UAE guidelines, schools are also cutting back on physically tiring activities and tweaking daily schedules to better suit students who are fasting. When internal tests are necessary, they’re usually scheduled earlier in the day, with room for flexibility.
Teachers stressed that during Ramadan, the priority is making sure students feel supported and calm, keeping communication open, and maintaining a learning environment that works for everyone while keeping education on track.