UK issued Ramadan Guide for Schools

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has issued an 11-page Ramadan guide for schools to help students who may be fasting when the school year starts in September.

It said swimming was acceptable to Muslims but posed a high risk of swallowing water that may break a fast. That’s why; schools with a significant number of Muslim pupils should try to avoid scheduling swimming lessons during Ramadan.

Besides, schools have been advised the Ramadan period may disrupt pupils" sleeping patterns as some pupils get up before dawn to have “sahur” (meal before dawn during Ramadan) with their families and it suggests examinations could be re-scheduled to avoid any decrease in concentration.

The council has also asked the teachers not to constrain Muslim students much during Ramadan and demanded to increase the number of prayer rooms in order to allow Muslims to perform their prayers.

The guide which was based on information from the Muslim Council of Britain, (MCB), is expected to be implemented at other schools in other regions where Muslims live.