Rabat – The Moroccan government has finally disclosed the much-awaited study on which the government decision to stick to Daylight Saving Time was allegedly based on.
The 24-page study shows several sections, including the economic and social impacts.
Social and health impacts
The Ministry of Administration Reform published the study, claiming that it shows an “overall” positive impact.
The study claims that the adoption of the DST year-round contributes to maintaining the stability of the population’s health as it stops the clock change several times.
“The change of time has no impact on public security,” the study finds. The study also claimed that the decision provides an additional hour that citizens can utilize to accomplish their daily activities.
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However, the study acknowledges that citizens would face some difficulties during the first days of the change, especially for children and elderly people.
“Some functions of the human body are negatively affected during the first few days of change of the hour.” According to the study, the change might cause increased levels of stress, sleep issues, and health disorders during the first few days.
The study reported that the effects during the first days are not a source of concern.
“The body of a human should not experience any issues and should not be affected” due to the change of hour as it can adapt to the change.
“A human has a strong ability to adapt to a wide range of types of changes.”
The study also emphasized that citizens don’t experience increased stress due to lack of public transportation as the companies concerned fixed their schedule to provide services throughout the day. However, the study emphasized that the government should reinforce public transportation in rural areas.
Airlines are not affected unless an unexpected change in the schedule is not reported in a timely manner.
Energy saving and economy
According to the document, the study examined several aspects, particularly the impact of adhering to GMT during winter. These findings were supported by consultations with more than 20 concerned parties and 40 officials.
The study also stipulated that the DST will contribute to saving more energy.
The study claims that Morocco would achieve additional energy savings during the winter period estimated at 37.6 GWh, in addition to saving hydrocarbons with a financial profit of MAD 33.9 million during the same period.
The study also claimed that Morocco managed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of 11,444 tonnes.
The study compared two phases: the period of 2012- 2017 when the government applied the clock change four times and the period of 2018-2018, when the government decided to keep DST year round.
The government also claimed that the decision has a positive impact on Morocco’s economy, emphasizing that the GMT+1 in winter time helped to reduce the time difference with its key economic partners.
Impacts on students
Despite the outrage among parents, who strongly condemned the change after decision, the study finds no negative impacts due to the implementation of DST year-round.
The study finds that there is a weak link between school performance and change in the hour, emphasizing that there has been improvement in grades instead of weak education performance speculated by some news outlets after the adoption of the change.
The comparison did not show any difference of absenteeism among students after the change, adding that absenteeism increased during the first weeks after the decision as some students accompanied their parents to protests against the change.
Teachers and headmasters consulted, according to the study, said that absenteeism or delays are linked to the distance between the schools and students residence location and public transportation .
Additionally, the study suggested the importance of transport services, lighting systems and the need to increase communication between citizens and public administration to avoid pressure and crisis in the education sector.
On October 26, 2018 the government council adopted Draft Decree 2.18.855, adding 60 minutes to the standard time in the country year round.
The decision angered many Moroccan people who condemned the decision. The government released the study after several months of promises to disclose the findings.
Previously, Morocco switched the clock every summer to DST, GMT+1, and returned to the old standard time, GMT, for a period when Ramadan fell in the summer.
After the adoption of Decree 2.18.855, Moroccans reset their clocks now only twice before and after Ramadan.
