With the air quality worsening further in Lahore amid severe smog, the Punjab government has declared school holidays to safeguard students from hazardous environmental conditions. Lahore has been suffering from a thick blanket of smoke, referred to as smog, a type of air pollution that can be seen with the naked eye, composed of a mixture of smoke and fog, which has at times gone to a degree that could be fatal for children, the elderly, and those suffering from respiratory diseases.

How Lahore Fell into the Smog Trap

Over the years, Lahore has been subjected to rising air quality concerns attributed to emissions from vehicles, industrial emissions, crop burns in the adjoining areas and the peculiar seasonal weather conditions that ensnare pollutants in the sky. During the winter season, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore often crosses the near safe index and makes the city one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Besides poor visibility the thick fog also comprises of fine particulate matter (PM2. 5), moves its way into our respiratory system and could be responsible for health problems like asthma, bronchitis, heart disorder, and possibly a decrease in pulmonary function by means of the years.

Punjab Govt Announcement of Holidays in Schools:

As the situation of smog in Lahore is worsening, Punjab government has announced mandatory one-week leave of students up to 5th grade.

As per the notification of Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General (DG) Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, the schools would remain closed for students of nursery to grade 5 from November 04 to November 09, 2024.

Taking precautionary steps to curb health concerns posed for children, the Punjab government has announced temporary school closure in Lahore. This is a gradual public health action to control exposure to hazardous air pollutants. In view of the deteriorating air quality and the susceptibility of school going children to respiratory problems due to smog, this action was required, government officials said.

The ban is applicable to all the public and private educational institutions in Lahore District. The government, however, said it is continuously keeping a check on AQI and will extend or modify the holidays depending on the prevailing air quality scenario.

Effects on Students and Families

The decision to shut schools does aim to protect health but it also brings some more worries for parents, educators, and students. Naturally, parents will have to re-arrange their schedules to allow for the children to remain at home, with many schools also looking into remote learning in an attempt to avoid an academic gap. Where possible, they are ensuring students receive online classes and online assignments, to ensure that their students can study from home without needing to travel physically.

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