Lahore – The Punjab Education Department has suspended all outdoor activities, including sports and morning assemblies, in schools across the province as smog intensifies, according to an official notification issued Friday.
The department directed that restrictions will remain in place on smog-affected days to safeguard students’ health. District Education Authorities (DEAs) have been ordered to conduct awareness campaigns for students, parents, and teachers on the dangers of smog and safety precautions such as wearing masks, staying hydrated, and reducing outdoor exposure.
Special focus has been placed on protecting children with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Teachers have been instructed to maintain emergency health records of vulnerable students and remain alert to signs of distress. Schools must also appoint focal persons to coordinate with local health departments for urgent medical assistance.
The guidelines further require schools to keep classrooms clean and well-ventilated while keeping doors and windows closed during peak smog hours. Burning trash on school premises has been banned, and proper waste management has been made mandatory.
District authorities will monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily and issue timely directives to schools. Institutions must also share awareness activities on official social media pages and submit weekly compliance reports, including focal person details and campaign links, starting October 5, 2025.
Smog has become a recurring public health crisis in Punjab during winter months, prompting the government to introduce emergency measures to reduce risks for schoolchildren.
