Zubair Mohammad
Schools in Kashmir reopened on March 7, 2025, after nearly three months of winter vacations. As students and teachers returned to their classrooms, they were soon met with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. This sacred month is a time of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection for Muslims across the world. For students and teachers, it brings unique challenges and opportunities. Managing academic responsibilities while observing fasts requires careful planning, patience, and a supportive environment. A thoughtful approach can ensure that both learning and spiritual commitments are balanced effectively.
With fasting hours stretching from Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) to Iftar (evening meal), students often experience fluctuations in energy levels throughout the day. Teachers, who are also fasting, may find it difficult to maintain their usual teaching pace. However, understanding these challenges and making adjustments can create a more productive and spiritually fulfilling school environment. Mornings are typically the best time for academic focus, as students are still energized from Suhoor. Teachers should schedule lessons that require higher concentration, such as mathematics, science, and analytical subjects, during the early hours. As the day progresses and fatigue sets in, lighter activities like discussions, storytelling, and revision can help maintain engagement without overburdening students.
Creating a comfortable classroom environment is essential during Ramadan. Fasting students may struggle with thirst and fatigue, making it important for teachers to ensure that the atmosphere remains calm and stress-free. Reducing unnecessary physical movement and allowing short breaks can help students stay focused. Additionally, long lectures should be replaced with interactive and participatory learning methods to prevent students from feeling exhausted. Teachers should also be understanding about students’ concentration levels, avoiding unnecessary pressure while maintaining academic consistency.
Time management plays a crucial role for both students and teachers during Ramadan. Fasting requires discipline, and integrating this discipline into academic routines can be highly beneficial. Students should plan their study schedules efficiently, ensuring that they allocate time for early morning revisions after Suhoor and make the most of their energy before midday fatigue sets in. Teachers, too, should manage their lesson plans carefully, ensuring that students are not overloaded with excessive homework or assignments that require prolonged mental effort late in the day.
Beyond academics, Ramadan is a time for character building and self-reflection. Schools can use this opportunity to reinforce values such as patience, kindness, honesty, and gratitude. Teachers can integrate moral lessons and ethical discussions into their daily teaching, helping students understand the deeper significance of the month. Encouraging acts of kindness within the school community, such as helping peers, sharing knowledge, and practicing patience, can make Ramadan a truly transformative experience for students. Discussions about compassion, charity, and discipline can inspire students to apply these values beyond the classroom, making them better individuals in the long run.
Physical activities in schools should also be adjusted during Ramadan. Since fasting students have lower energy levels, sports and strenuous exercises should be minimized, especially during the later hours of the day. Instead, schools can introduce alternative activities such as light stretching, storytelling sessions, and cultural discussions that align with the spirit of Ramadan. Schools can also encourage students to participate in community service activities, such as helping with Iftar distribution or supporting charitable causes, to instill the values of empathy and social responsibility.
A supportive school environment can make a significant difference in helping students manage their academic and spiritual responsibilities. Teachers should foster a sense of understanding and flexibility, ensuring that students feel comfortable discussing their needs during Ramadan. Encouraging peer support and group study sessions can also help students collaborate and share the academic load, making learning more enjoyable and effective. By working together, students can revise, clarify doubts, and assist each other, reducing the burden of individual study while maintaining academic progress.
The scheduling of exams and assignments is another important consideration. Since fasting students spend additional time in prayers, recitation of the Quran, and spiritual reflection, their capacity to manage hectic academic deadlines may be limited. Schools should take this into account and avoid scheduling major exams during the later days of Ramadan, when fatigue and focus issues tend to peak. Instead, tests can be conducted earlier in the month or postponed until after Ramadan, allowing students to perform at their best without undue stress.
Maintaining a healthy routine is equally important for both students and teachers during Ramadan. Since sleep cycles are disrupted due to early Suhoor and late-night Taraweeh prayers, students should ensure that they get adequate rest whenever possible. Teachers should also be mindful of their own energy levels, balancing their responsibilities while taking care of their health. Schools can implement short relaxation breaks to help both students and staff recharge and sustain their focus throughout the day.
Ramadan is not just about fasting; it is a time of spiritual and personal growth. Schools can take this opportunity to enhance students’ moral and ethical development by integrating Islamic teachings on perseverance, gratitude, and humility into classroom discussions. Encouraging students to reflect on their own strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations can help them develop a stronger sense of self-discipline and purpose. Teachers, as role models, can inspire students through their own patience, kindness, and positive attitude during this month.
Involving parents and the broader school community in Ramadan activities can further enrich the experience for students. Schools can organize Ramadan-themed discussions, guest lectures, or charity drives, encouraging students to participate in meaningful initiatives that reinforce the values of the month. Regular communication between teachers and parents can ensure that students receive the necessary academic and emotional support at home as well.
As Ramadan progresses, it is essential to maintain a balanced approach that respects both academic commitments and religious obligations. With the right adjustments, students can continue their education without compromising their spiritual responsibilities. Teachers, by being **understanding, flexible, and encouraging, can create an environment where students thrive both academically and spiritually. Schools in Kashmir, having reopened recently after a long winter break, must ensure that students transition smoothly into their academic routine while embracing the blessings and lessons of Ramadan.
By fostering patience, empathy, and discipline, Ramadan becomes not just a month of fasting but a time of transformation and learning. A well-planned approach from both teachers and students can make this month a period of both academic excellence and spiritual enrichment, ensuring that education and faith go hand in hand.
Author can be mailed at zubairmohammad7@gmail.com
