New School Timings in Lahore Announced in Response to Smog

An important news regarding the school going students in Lahore!  Smog forces change in school timings in Lahore, new school timings have already been announced across all the city. Due to the alarming situation of smog and worsening air quality, the Punjab government has announced changed timings for private and public schools in Lahore. This initiative has been taken by keeping the safety and health measurements in mind for students and teachers alike. Get to know more about these new school timings further below from this page and stay tuned to get more relevant Lahore smog effect updates.

New School Timings in Lahore

As Lahore deals with the ongoing smog situation, the revised school timings and precautionary measures are aimed at protecting the health of students and the citizens too. The government’s efforts, combined with public cooperation, are expected to alleviate the adverse effects of air pollution in the coming months. Starting from 28^th October 2024, all schools in Lahore will commence at 8:45 AM instead of the usual earlier time. This change in school timing is intended to minimize children's exposure to the harmful effects of air pollution and this timing will remain in effect until 31^st January 2025.

Notification From School Education Department

According to a report, this decision comes in response to an order from the Punjab Department of Environment, which instructed the School Education Department to adjust timings as part of a broader strategy to combat the rising smog in Lahore and also tackle related health risks regarding this Lahore smog situation. The new school timing schedule will apply to both public and private schools across the city. Authorities have authorized full compliance with the new timings until the end of January 2025.

Impact of Air Pollution in Lahore

Lahore is currently ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently exceeding dangerous levels. The Lahore AQI has recently hit 150 in some areas and is also expected to rise again, a threshold that can pose significant health risks, especially to vulnerable populations such as children and the senior citizens. As a result, the Punjab Environment Protection Department has issued instructions for immediate protective measures to be implemented in Lahore.

Precautions to Fight Smog Exposure

In addition to these new school hours, the Punjab government has ordered the suspension of all outdoor school activities to limit children's exposure to the polluted smog air. School assemblies will now be held indoors and students are encouraged to stay inside during school break times. The public has been advised to take precautions, including wearing masks when venturing outdoors and keeping track of AQI levels via the Environment Protection Department’s app.

Government Initiatives and Public Cooperation

To further reduce the smog in Lahore, a ban on fireworks has been enforced until 31^st January 2025. Citizens are urged to limit outdoor activities, close windows and doors to prevent smog infiltration, and wear protective masks when necessary. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has called on the public to cooperate with government efforts to fight the smog. She highlighted the importance of reporting smoke emitting vehicles and factories to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) via helpline 1373, urging rapid action to reduce pollution sources.