School meals in a Helsinki primary school. LEHTIKUVA
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Schools in Finland are adopting different approaches to Ramadan fasting as the number of Muslim pupils grows. Some schools provide guidelines, while others refrain from taking a stance on the matter.
Helsinki has issued guidance for its schools on handling fasting during school hours.
Some schools have advised parents of younger pupils to limit fasting to weekends or afternoons when there is no schoolwork.
Ville Raatikainen, head of Basic Education in Helsinki, confirmed the city’s position, while Päivi Lyhykäinen from the teacher trade union OAJ supported the approach. She noted that some schools have used morning assemblies to explain Ramadan to all students as part of cultural education.
In Tampere, some schools take a more neutral position. Marika Korpinurmi, principal of Ahvenisjärvi School, stated that the school does not interfere in pupils’ participation in Ramadan.
“It doesn’t cause or require any special arrangements. We have not issued any guidance to guardians, nor have we observed any situation where Muslim pupils monitor each other’s fasting,” Korpinurmi said.
She added that younger children at her school do not typically fast, but teachers would contact parents if fasting affected a child’s well-being.
Ramadan fasting requires abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours. In Finland, where summer daylight lasts for nearly 24 hours, many Muslims follow the fasting schedule of Mecca.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
