Morocco’s Controversial GMT+1 Time Change Sparks Education Debate

The time change remains a controversial issue in Morocco. In a written question, Deputy Nezha Mekdad, a member of the Social Sectors Commission in the first chamber of parliament, called on the Minister of National Education to take into account the concerns of parents and student guardians to implement appropriate school schedules, particularly in the rural world, reports the Arabic-language daily Al Ahdath Al Maghribia.

She mentioned the adverse effects for "citizens, especially parents and student guardians who are obliged to accompany their children in the dark early in the morning and pick them up in the same conditions when they leave school." Studies have shown that maintaining the GMT+1 schedule has physiological and health effects on students, especially in the rural world, the elected official recalled. Among these effects, the lack of concentration.