(Age) When students at Thomas Mitchell Primary School sit their NAPLAN tests, many won’t have eaten or touched a drop of water since before dawn.
About one-third of students at the Endeavour Hills state school are Muslims who observe Ramadan, a month-long fast that has coincided with the national literacy and numeracy tests for two years in a row.
Principal John Hurley says the clash is disadvantaging Muslim students.
“They struggle to concentrate and their energy levels are low,” he explains.
“You are not getting a true indication of the kids. The education department puts such a huge emphasis on NAPLAN. It’s very unfair on these kids.”
