How permanent daylight saving time could affect schools

The transition to permanent daylight saving time (DST) in various regions of Canada could pose significant challenges for schools and students. Sleep, a vital component of well-being, is at risk due to potential disruptions from the move to permanent DST. Most sleep and chronobiology experts advocate for ending seasonal clock changes to avoid sleep disruption, which could lead to increased heart attacks and fatal car accidents.

While permanent DST offers more daylight in the evening, it results in later sunrises, affecting school start times. In many regions, sunrises will occur after 8 a.m., even after 9 a.m. during certain periods of the school year. For instance, in Grande Prairie, Alberta, sunrises will be after 10 a.m. in December and January.

The shift in sunrise times due to permanent DST can lead to social jetlag, a mismatch between the body's natural circadian clock and school or work schedules. This misalignment can worsen sleep deprivation, leading to health issues such as depression, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic diseases. Social jetlag also poses challenges for students with flexible schedules, who may struggle to adapt to later dawns.

Due to the natural shift in the circadian clock towards later times during adolescence, teens are more likely to experience the negative effects of permanent DST. They are more likely to be "owls," preferring later bedtimes and wake-up times. The transition to permanent DST can further disrupt teens' sleep patterns, exacerbating issues such as mood disturbances, depression, and reduced academic performance.

Research from Russia's short-lived permanent DST implementation suggests potential detrimental effects on sleep, social jetlag, and mood, particularly during winter months. While there are few studies on permanent DST, similar studies on sleep, school start times, and student well-being could provide valuable insights. Teens are already chronically sleep-deprived due to the mismatch between their circadian rhythms and early school start times, leading to various health concerns such as risky behaviors, depression, low grades, and car accidents.

A later school start time, aligned with students' circadian rhythms, has been shown to improve sleep health, mood, attendance, attention, and academic performance. It can also reduce rates of illness, headaches, and mental health difficulties, including depression and disordered eating. Educators can expect increased disruptions to students' engagement and academics as sunrise, school start times, and students' biological rhythms become more misaligned.