The Punjab government has announced the closure of all public and private schools and colleges, from primary to higher secondary levels until November 17, 2024, as part of urgent measures to combat severe air pollution in the region. This decision affects educational institutions in the Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan divisions, which will transition to online learning starting November 17.
The move comes in response to dangerously high smog levels, with Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) recently surpassing 1,000, indicating hazardous conditions. The decision was made after a thorough assessment of the province’s air quality.
The closure will also impact schools offering O and A level classes, according to a government notification issued on Wednesday. The notification, released by Imran Hamid Shaikh, the Director General of the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stated that educational institutions would transition to online teaching from November 7 to November 17.
The notification specified, “All educational institutions, including private tuition centers (both public and private) up to the Higher Secondary Level (12th grade/A-level), shall remain closed and will shift to online mode.” It further added, “This order shall take effect from November 7, 2024 (Thursday) and remain in force until November 17, 2024 (Sunday) within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan Divisions, covering the districts of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, and Khanewal.”
Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb attributed the smog primarily to crop burning and industrial emissions, which have significantly deteriorated the region’s air quality. To protect students and staff, Aurangzeb urged schools to switch to online learning during the smog crisis.
Emphasizing that health and safety are the top priorities, Aurangzeb stated that the temporary shift to online education is a preventative measure to shield young children and students from the harmful effects of pollution.
