Many Jordanians expressed confusion after they suddenly found the clocks on their phones turned back by one hour after midnight on Thursday.

This came after phones that update time automatically, changed their timing to Standard Time as it is annually scheduled, but Jordan’s government had already decided to remain Eastern European Summer Time meaning Daylight Saving Time would become permanent in the country.

The government had justified its decision by saying it comes after an extensive study conducted by the government to determine the feasibility of keeping on the DST all year round.

This also, according to the government, will limit working hours during the evening and night hours.

Regarding school and university students’ morning shifts, the Council of Ministers directed the Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research to ensure that students go to schools and universities at appropriate times.

Accordingly, the Minister of Education Wajih Owais decided that schools will open their doors to students at 7:45am, with the first class starting at 8:30am.

As for the 882 schools, in which the two-shift system is applied, school hours will end before sunset.

Regarding university students, it is left to the university to take action based on what it finds suitable.