Minister of Education in the caretaker government, Abbas Al-Halabi, confirmed the transition to Daylight Saving Time in educational institutions. Al-Halabi stated in a statement that the Cabinet's decision regarding the adoption of Daylight Saving Time remains in effect unless amended in a Cabinet session. He emphasized that Daylight Saving Time in schools, vocational institutions, and universities remains based on the legitimacy of the decision and the unity of the educational community, adding that educational, vocational, and university institutions should not be left in confusion, nor should parents be uncertain about what time their children should go to school.
He viewed the educational sector as the only remaining model of national unity and stated, "We will not allow it to be exposed to fragmentation and division." In light of the significant dangers facing the country, Al-Halabi called on all Lebanese people to reduce the intensity of media conflict and to avoid any new decisions, like the recent one regarding the time change, which has fueled sectarian discourse in the country. "We have always been better off without additional divisions."
He added, "The Earth rotates, and day and night move according to each country in the world, and prayer, fasting, and holiday times change according to sunrise and sunset at any point on Earth."
Al-Halabi also urged everyone, including officials, citizens, and religious leaders, to pay attention to the deep wounds of the people for whom bread has become hard to obtain. "Let us fear God in our words and positions, place national interests and people's needs at the forefront, and bring the discussion back to a reasonable scale away from exaggeration and amplified responses."
He indicated that if the Cabinet convenes and makes a decision to amend its previous decision regarding Daylight Saving Time, "We will be the first to implement it. However, in the absence of such a decision, Daylight Saving Time remains adopted and applied in the educational sector."
