BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BALANCING religious obligations and studies during the month of Ramadhan can be a challenge for some students, especially those preparing for their upcoming examinations.

In an interview with four lower sixth students and two lecturer from Rimba Secondary School, they shared their views about going to school and preparing for their qualifying exams during the fasting month.

“Personally I find it very challenging to study during the fasting month since we feel weak and it’s harder for me to grasp on some topics taught in school,” said Ak Mohd Raffie Pg Shariffuddin.

His fellow school mate, Syasya Dania Batrisya Md Iskandar Shah also found that studying during Ramadhan to be more challenging than other days.

“Studying for my qualifying during Ramadhan is surprisingly more challenging compared to studying during other months, this is because of our sudden change in eating habits,” said Syasya Dania Batrisya.

She added that despite the reduction of school hours during this month, school workload still remains the same.

Another student, Nur Aminah Roslan expressed the same view stating that she has to wake up for sahur at four which makes it even harder to wake up the next day.

“As Muslims, when we fast during the day we are required to have small meals before sunrise, so when we are already wide awake at four and we have class at eight, our energy dies down by then and we feel tired,” said the 15-year-old.

Meanwhile, a Year 10 student, Nurina Insyirah Kipli said there is not much difference in making preparations for her qualifying during the fasting month than any other months.

She added: “Even with school hours reduced, this only gives me the opportunity to revise and study more with the extra time I have.”

For Siti Rahmah Sabtu, a Malay Muslim Monarchy (MIB) teacher at Rimba Secondary School said that the teaching atmosphere is different during the fasting month.

“I understand that some students are only beginning to adjust their sleeping pattern so they might come into class a little late than usual, so I’m a bit lenient to their tardiness and will excuse them, as long as they carry out their duties in the classroom,” said the teacher.

Siti Rahmah went on to say that to avoid her students feeling fatigue during Ramadhan, she tries to break down her lessons to be more ‘simpler’ by encouraging group discussions and quizzes.

“To reserve the student’s energy, I try to carry out my lessons without requiring them to talk a lot so we hold a lot of quizzes in the class and group works so they can brain storm,” she said.

Another teacher also agreed with her fellow colleague, Nurhazirah Hj Abd Latif said that while it is understandable how some students may feel drowsy, tired and get headaches due to dehydration, she still carries out her lessons like usual.

“As a teacher we must also be patient when carrying out our duties. I do get some students come up and ask for free periods or request for more quizzes to be incorporated in my lessons so to lessen their burden, I do give in while ensuring they do more homework ,”said Nurhazirah.

The Brunei Times