LAHORE: With smog levels rising across Punjab, the provincial Education Department has rolled out urgent steps to safeguard students’ health and safety.
In a notification issued to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of District Education Authorities (DEAs), the department ordered that all outdoor school activities, including sports and morning assemblies, be suspended on smog-affected days.
The department has also launched an awareness drive for teachers, parents, and students, stressing preventive measures such as wearing masks, staying hydrated, and avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure, especially for children suffering from asthma or other respiratory issues.
Key instructions include keeping classrooms clean, well-ventilated, and sealed during peak smog hours, ensuring strict waste disposal without burning garbage, and maintaining emergency health records for children with respiratory or cardiac conditions. Teachers have been directed to watch closely for any student showing signs of illness.
District authorities have been instructed to appoint focal persons for coordination with local health departments in the event of emergencies.
At the same time, DEAs will monitor daily Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and provide timely guidance to schools.
From October 5, 2025, schools will be required to submit compliance reports, along with details of awareness campaigns and contacts of designated focal persons.