Punjab Government Orders Widespread School Closures Amid Severe Smog

hrms sedhr ( sedhr.punjab.gov.pk )

In response to the hazardous air quality plaguing Punjab, the provincial government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions up to the higher secondary level.

Starting tomorrow, schools across Punjab will transition to online classes, a measure in effect until the end of the week to limit students’ exposure to the dangerous smog blanketing the region.

The recent smog surge was declared a “calamity” last month, affecting major divisions including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan, where schools are set to remain closed until November 17.

Public spaces such as parks, zoos, playgrounds, and museums have also been temporarily closed to minimize public exposure to the harmful air.

A statement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detailed that the air quality index (AQI) in districts like Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala has surpassed the critical 500 mark, reaching hazardous levels that pose serious health risks.

Health facilities across the province have reported a surge in respiratory and eye-related illnesses due to the worsening air quality.

The Punjab School Education Department confirmed the closures and outlined a shift to online learning for all educational institutions, including private tuition centers.

This order aligns with the EPA’s directive aimed at reducing exposure to the harmful smog conditions affecting nine divisions across the province.

UNICEF has also voiced concern, with its representative in Pakistan urging stronger measures to combat the air pollution affecting over 11 million children under five years of age in the worst-affected districts.

The UNICEF representative emphasized the urgent need for action to safeguard children’s health.

In tandem with school closures, the EPA issued a separate directive for government offices to reduce in-person attendance by 50 percent, recommending a work-from-home model to ease road congestion and reduce vehicular emissions, which are contributing significantly to the smog.

This policy, issued to administrative secretaries and heads of departments, encourages minimizing on-site staffing to limit vehicle use.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also forecasted that the smog conditions will likely persist into December due to a combination of high humidity, low wind speeds, and stable atmospheric pressure.

Urban areas across Punjab, as well as some in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are expected to remain under the effects of smog for the coming months.

The NDMA advisory recommends that residents avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, stay hydrated, and utilize masks and air purifiers to protect their health.

The EPA and NDMA urge residents to take precautionary steps to mitigate smog exposure, particularly during peak hours.

Recommended measures include carpooling, adopting eco-friendly driving practices, and using indoor air filters.