TRANSCRIPT
It's full focus in the exam room.
The national assessment program, NAPLAN, is designed to determine whether young Australians are developing crucial literacy and numeracy skills.
But at Al Siraat College in Victoria concerns have been raised about NAPLAN's clash with Ramadan.
Fazeel Arain is the College Principal and the Victorian Chair of the Islamic Schools Association of Australia.
“One of our major concerns is simply exhaustion because during this month, with the, with the late-finishing night prayers and then the early morning fast, there is quite, you know, a tight sleep schedule.”
Inas Mahboub is Head of Primary at the college.
“We’re having to actually put in a lot of logistics in place to try and ensure that these students are, are able to perform to the best of their ability with everything else that is expected of them so our students are anxious.”
But Mr Arain is calling for NAPLAN to be held in a different month to Ramadan.
“We’re prepared to produce a five-year forward plan in relation to when the dates will be for Ramadan.”
Ms Mahboub says it would change the perception of students.
“So few weeks to me, personally would perhaps give our children more of a positive engagement with NAPLAN and at the same time help them understand that they are important and they are heard as Australian citizens, people living in Australia.”
ACARA says… “The NAPLAN testing dates are determined by education ministers in consultation with state, territory and federal authorities.” And that “Any proposal to change these dates would need to be considered by education ministers.”
Other members of the Muslim community have told SBS they don’t believe the clash is an issue – instead adding to the challenges overcome and resilience cultivated, during the month of Ramadan.
In a statement, Al Faisal Colleges said it doesn't believe that fasting has any effect on the performance of students in NAPLAN, adding its tests are conducted in the mornings.
