Morocco to implement 8:00 AM school start time in 2026

Morocco's Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports has announced that school classes across all educational institutions will begin at 8:00 AM starting September 20, 2026. This decision, issued via a ministerial memorandum signed by Minister Mohamed Saad Berrada, aims to align school schedules with the Kingdom's new legal time regulations.

The ministry instructed regional academy directors, provincial directors, and school principals to reorganize time management for the 2026-2027 academic year in accordance with Decree No. 2.26.530. The new schedule must ensure that the total required instructional hours for each subject and level are fully met without reduction.

While the 8:00 AM start time is a unified standard, the ministry emphasized the need for flexibility to accommodate local specificities. Educational administrations are encouraged to consider regional differences, particularly in rural areas where commuting distances and local conditions may present unique challenges, to ensure the smooth operation of the educational process.