Punjab Government Announces Schools Reopening After Smog Declines

We have a major update regarding the schools reopening in Punjab. As the smog situation improves a little in Punjab, the schools are reopening for the students. The smog crisis that has surrounded Lahore and other cities of Punjab for weeks now, is showing signs of improvement, it has sparked hope of better air quality in Punjab and also the air pollution health risks will also decrease. While the air quality index (AQI) remains hazardous, a significant drop has been recorded in some parts of Punjab encouraging discussions on revising school closure decision and dates in those areas. You can get more information regarding this decision below from this page and also stay tuned for the education field related news like this.

Smog Situation Eases in Punjab

Punjab’s capital, Lahore, which recorded AQI levels above 1600 at its peak, now reports an AQI of 484, according to IQAir, a global air quality monitoring platform. Although the air quality remains hazardous, it is a notable improvement. The smog had led to severe measures, including school closures, restricted market timings, suspension of outdoor activities and a health emergency declaration across Lahore and other cities. The schools in Rawalpindi Division and other districts will reopen tomorrow (on 19^th November 2024), and the administration has also issued an official notification for this reopening decision of schools. It states that the schools in the following mentioned divisions will be reopened due to better weather conditions and a reduction in smog levels.

• Rawalpindi
• Attock
• Chakwal
• Jhelum

School’s Reopening Date in Punjab

Previously, the Punjab government closed schools until 17^th November 2024, later extending the closure to 24^th November 2024 due to the persistent smog situation. However, with the recent improvement in air quality, the provincial authorities have announced the reopening of schools in the Rawalpindi division, Jhelum, Attock and Chakwal districts starting from tomorrow, 19^th November 2024. All government and private schools in these division will carry out their regular procedures from tomorrow.

Artificial Rain in Punjab

Due to the innovative effort to tackle the smog, the Punjab government has conducted a successful trial of artificial rain using local cloud seeding technology. This artificial rain in Punjab initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Pakistan Army’s Scientific Research and Development team, Army Aviation, the Pakistan Refinery Company (PARCO) and the Environmental Protection Agency. The trial was conducted in Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujar Khan, leading to rainfall within a few hours in Jhelum and Gujar Khan. The artificial rain project is expected to become a valuable tool for improving air quality during future smog seasons, highlighting the province's commitment to mitigating air pollution.

Decision Pending for Other Cities

For cities other than above mentioned divisions, a decision is expected soon. If no further extensions are announced, schools in the remaining cities of Punjab will remain close and will resume classes on Monday, 25^th November 2024. Parents, students and teachers are urged to stay updated on school reopening announcements from our website.

Useful Advices for Students

While schools prepare to reopen, parents are advised to take precautions for their children's health. Despite improvements, the air quality in Punjab is still not very healthy. Here are some recommended measures for you to take while your children attending the the school again; make sure children wear anti-pollution masks outdoors and also minimize exposure to outdoor activities during after the school hours. The easing smog situation brings a collective sigh of relief for Punjab residents. However, it also highlights the need for long term measures to address air pollution. Initiatives like artificial rain, strict regulations on industrial emissions and public awareness campaigns can contribute to a sustainable solution.