Punjab School Education Department Implements Emergency Smog Measures

What Happened

The Punjab School Education Department has issued an official notification to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of District Education Authorities (DEAs) regarding emergency measures to protect students from rising smog levels [2, 3].

Key directives include:

• Activity Suspensions: All outdoor activities, including sports, physical training sessions, and morning assemblies, are suspended on days when smog levels are elevated [2, 3].
• Waste Management: The burning of garbage or litter within school premises is strictly prohibited, and schools must implement proper waste disposal procedures [1, 2, 3].
• Classroom Safety: School heads must ensure classrooms are clean and well-ventilated, while keeping windows and doors closed during peak smog hours [1, 2, 3].
• Health Monitoring: Schools are required to maintain emergency medical records for students with heart or respiratory conditions, such as asthma [1, 2, 3]. Teachers must watch for signs of students falling ill and attend to them immediately [1, 2].
• Air Quality Monitoring: DEAs will track the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily and provide instructions to schools based on these readings [2, 3].
• Coordination: A designated focal person must be appointed in every district to coordinate with local health departments for emergency medical responses [1, 2, 3].
• Reporting Requirements: Starting from October 5, 2025, schools are required to submit weekly compliance reports to the Education Department. These reports must include details of the appointed focal persons and links to their awareness campaign activities [2, 3].

Who Is Affected

These measures affect all schools across the Punjab province [1]. Specifically, the directives target:

• Students, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma [1, 2, 3].
• Teachers, who are tasked with monitoring student health and conducting awareness drives [1, 2].
• Parents and teachers, who are to be educated on health hazards and preventive measures [2, 3].
• District Education Authorities (DEAs) and district-level focal persons [2, 3].

What Students Should Do Next

As part of the department’s awareness campaigns, students are being educated on several preventive steps to reduce health risks [1, 2]:

• Wear masks to protect against smog exposure [1, 2].
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water [1, 2].
• Avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure [1, 2].