Aleya Akhtar has been a teacher of English for the past eighteen years. Fourteen of these years were spent in four state schools in East London. Here she found some of her greatest rewards as a teacher, surrounded by different cultures, religions and beliefs. These shaped her as a teacher. She currently lives and works in Dubai immersing herself in its culture and religion as she continues educating young minds.
Well, Ramadan, the holy month of the Muslim lunar calendar, has been well and truly underway for the past few weeks. For many of our students it will be filled with evenings full of delicious food, time with family and loved ones, as well as an increase of worship through prayers at the mosque or reading the Quran. It is a month where the normal schedule is thrown out the window and in its place are 3am (suhoors) pre-dawn meals, almost two hour long evening prayers and of course, the dry fast from sunrise to sunset. Rightfully, its physical and spiritual tolls will be evident on your Muslim students.
Whilst most non-Muslims understand Ramadan to be a month where Muslims go without eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset for a whole month, it is in fact much more than that. Ramadan actually places much more significance on the spiritual elements which coincide with the physical hardships linked with fasting than just the abstinence of food and water. Therefore, you might have witnessed how the fasting and spiritual obligations during Ramadan have affected the mental and physical struggles of some of your students.
As educators it is important for us to understand such struggles. Understanding and supporting students who are fasting during Ramadan can make a significant difference in their well-being and academic success. Here are some practical ways you can offer support:
Show empathy.
There’s nothing more nicer than hearing non Muslims asking questions, wanting to learn about the religion and the importance of this month. It shows you care. Recognising that fasting can be physically and mentally challenging, by expressing understanding to your students, you will show empathy and build trust. A simple acknowledgment, like saying, “I know it’s tough during Ramadan,” can shift a potential disruptive situation to a much calmer one.
Be flexible.
Fasting can cause a drop in blood sugar levels, which affects cognitive function. This can make it harder for students to focus on classwork, remember information, or participate in lessons. By focusing on the quality of learning, empathising with reduced participation, and being flexible with deadlines for projects/homework will not only support the students but you’ll more likely see better results than if you were to push them towards maximum productivity.
Create a supportive environment.
You may notice heightened levels of mood swings, irritability and feelings of frustration; a result of hunger, tiredness, and dehydration. Your students may find it harder to interact with their peers or teachers in a positive way, which can affect their social interactions and classroom environment. Another contributing factor is sleep deprivation as teenagers often stay up late for Taraweeh prayers (extra evening prayers which can last a few hours), partake in Ibadah (worship, charity work), reading the Quran or spending more time in the mosques or with family and friends. All this has to be conducted outside of their school hours. On top of their school commitments.
Could you perhaps offer some of the following?
- Offer a quiet, reflective space or a few moments to put their heads on the table for a quick break.
- Allow a few minutes outside of the classroom to regain their focus and maintain their calm.
- Promote open communication by having one-to-one conversations and allowing the sharing of any struggles.
- Create a support plan with the student and the adults around them.
- Encourage students to practice good habits, such as taking a short nap after school if needed or eating balanced meals during suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar.
Despite these challenges, many teenagers find ways to manage their energy levels, hydration, and schoolwork by adjusting their schedules, getting extra rest, and focusing on the spiritual aspects of Ramadan. By being considerate and adjusting your teaching style and classroom expectations, you can provide a supportive environment for students observing Ramadan. This will help them stay focused on their education while also respecting their religious practices.
Lastly, Eid Mubarak (end of Ramadan celebration)!
