May 14, 20191 min

Public debate on daylight saving time and school start time

Source: University of Surrey


 
A switch to permanent daylight saving time will undo any positive effects on sleep of delaying school start times, according to researchers.

  • Delaying school times has been a contentious issue in North America and Europe with proponents arguing that such a postponement would enable teenagers, who typically go to bed later, to get the recommended amount of sleep, whilst opponents point to the logistical problems that would arise from such a change.

DST, the practice of setting the clocks forward one hour from standard time (ST) during the summer months in order to make better use of natural daylight, is also a divisive issue
  • In March, the European parliament voted to stop changing the clocks, with European Union member states required to decide whether to stay on permanent DST or permanent ST by 2021.

  • California, Florida and Washington are all due to vote on whether to stay on permanent DST.
     

     
    #Daylight #Time #Schools #West