LAHORE: In a proactive move to combat the recurring environmental crisis affecting the sub-continent, the Punjab School Education Department (SED) has officially notified a comprehensive pre-smog action plan aimed at shielding students from the hazardous effects of deteriorating air quality.
The directives, which come as the province prepares for the peak pollution season, mandate all educational institutions to ensure strict compliance with safety measures.
According to the department, the action plan is scheduled for implementation from July through September 2026, targeting the early prevention of respiratory and health-related complications among the youth.
Under the new guidelines, school administrations have been ordered to significantly limit unnecessary outdoor activities.
The SED has underscored that the health of students remains a top priority as the region continues to grapple with the cross-border smog phenomenon.
AQI monitoring and safety protocols
As part of the standardized operating procedures (SOPs), the Education Department has made it mandatory for school staff to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels before allowing any form of outdoor exercise.
Students have been explicitly instructed to refrain from outdoor sports and physical training during periods when smog levels are elevated.
The notification further advises parents and staff to avoid unnecessary travel and visits to areas identified as having “unhealthy” air quality.
To maintain a controlled environment within classrooms, school heads have been directed to keep all doors and windows closed during active smog hours to prevent the infiltration of toxic particulate matter.
The SED has issued a stern warning to all school heads, emphasizing that they are personally responsible for ensuring the implementation of these safety measures.
“The harmful effects of smog are a serious threat to our children, and no negligence in the enforcement of this plan will be tolerated,” a senior official from the department stated.
