Ramadan exam move a mistake, says Ofsted boss
By Eleanor Harding, Mailonline:
Exam timetables should not be arranged to accommodate fasting Muslim pupils during Ramadan, the head of Ofsted said yesterday.
Sir Michael Wilshaw argued that organising GCSE and A-level exams to fit in with religious festivals set a ‘difficult precedent’.
He warned that making allowances for one religious group could mean others ‘pile in’ and ask for similar concessions.
His comments follow revelations that exam boards took Ramadan into account when they organised this year’s summer exam timetable.
The holy month moves earlier in the calendar by about 11 days every year, and this summer there will be a significant overlap.
It is likely to coincide with the exam season for the next four years, a situation which last arose 30 years ago.
Responding to a caller on LBC Radio yesterday, Sir Michael said adopting the principle could cause logistical issues for schools if they felt obliged to follow suit.
He said: ‘I don’t believe that we should reorganise the examination timetable to fit in with religious festivals and celebrations.
‘Once we do that, we set a very bad precedent.
‘This is setting a difficult precedent, because examinations take place throughout the year, and schools set internal assessments throughout the year.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3400257/Ramadan-exam-mistake-says-Ofsted-boss-Sir-Michael-Wilshow-argues-organising-levels-GCSEs-fit-religious-festivals-sets-difficult-precedent.html#ixzz3xJ6ce8oc
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