Due to the worst situation of smog, schools up to higher secondary are being closed

Due to the worst situation of smog, schools up to higher secondary are being closed, said Maryam Aurangzeb, Senior Provincial Minister of Punjab

Smog alert
Decision to close all educational institutions of Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranullah Division till November 17.
Air pollution in Lahore has broken all records. Decision to close all high secondary schools. Masks must be worn. Fewer people come out of houses. If this situation remains, there will be a complete lockdown in Lahore.
Maryam Aurangzeb

Closure/Shifting to Online Mode by Schools Upto Higher Secondary Level

A Precautionary Measure for Public Health

In a move aimed at protecting public health and mitigating the impacts of air pollution, the Government of Punjab has issued an order directing schools up to the higher secondary level to either close or shift to online mode of education. This decision was taken in light of the deteriorating air quality index (AQI) in Lahore and the declaration of a Critical Air Pollution Event.

Key Points:

• Reason for Closure: The decision to close schools or shift to online mode was taken due to the alarmingly high levels of air pollution in Lahore.
• Impact on Student Health: Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can adversely affect the respiratory health of students, particularly those with pre-existing conditions.
• Government’s Commitment to Public Health: The government’s decision reflects its commitment to prioritizing public health and taking proactive measures to protect citizens from harmful pollutants.
• Temporary Measure: The closure or online mode of education is expected to be a temporary measure, implemented until air quality improves.

Order No. 108/DG/EPA/Punjab

Government of the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore Dated: 06.11.2024

CLOSURE/SHIFTING TO ONLINE MODE BY SCHOOLS UPTO HIGHER SECONDARY LEVEL (12TH GRADE/ A-LEVEL)

WHEREAS, Government of Punjab is striving hard to control all possible intrinsic factors which cause air pollution and deteriorate quality of ambient air. Pre-emptive measures against all the sources of air pollution have already been started by EPA as well as other concerned departments.

AND WHEREAS, as per Section 2(xxxii) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997, pollution means the contamination of air, land or water by the discharge or emission of effluents or wastes or other discharges or substances matter whether directly or indirectly or in combination with air pollutants or noise or other matters which either the chemical, physical, biological, radiation, thermal or radiological or aesthetic properties of the air, land or water or which may, is or is likely to make the air, land or water unclean, noxious or impure or injurious to biodiversity or detrimental to the health, safety, welfare or property of persons or harmful, disagreeable.

AND WHEREAS, Section 6(1) of the Act empowers EPA to take or cause to be taken all necessary measures for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, prevention and control of pollution and promotion of sustainable development.

AND WHEREAS, the Health Advisory System for Critical Air Pollution Events (HAS-CAPES) Committee has been notified on 13.12.2022 under which the 1st Meeting of Provincial Committee (PCC) was held on 21.10.2024 which declared that Critical Air Pollution Event has taken place in Lahore, keeping in view the current high levels of Air Quality Index (AQI).

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh (PAS), Director General, Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me u/s 6(1) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, do hereby order that all the educational institutions, including private tuition centers (public/private) upto Higher Secondary Level (12th Grade/ A-level) shall remain closed and will shift to online mode.

This order shall come into force with effect from 7th November 2024 (Thursday) and remain in force till 17th November 2024 (Sunday) within the territorial jurisdictions of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan Divisions i.e., Districts of Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahudin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari and Khanewal.

Issued under my hand and seal on this 6th day of November, 2024.

DR. IMRAN HAMID SHEIKH (PAS) Director General Environmental Protection Agency Punjab

Copy forwarded for information:

• The Secretary, Environment Protection & Climate Change Department, Punjab
• The Secretary, Schools Education Department with the request to get this order implemented in the field.
• The Commissioner Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan Division.
• The Director General Public Relations (DGPR) with a request to ensure wide publicity.
• The Capital City Police Officer, Lahore.
• The Deputy Commissioners, District Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahudin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari and Khanewal.
• The Additional Secretary (Staff), Chief Secretary’s Office, Lahore.
• The Secretary, Judicial Water & Environment Commission (JWEC), Punjab.
• The Additional Secretary (Coordination), Chief Minister Office, Lahore.
• The Chief Environment & Climate Change, P&D Board, Lahore.
• PSO to Minister for Environment, Forest and P&D
• PSO to Provincial Police Office/ IGP, Punjab
• The Additional Director General (Ops & Imp), EPA Punjab
• The In-charge Smog War Room, EPA Headquarters, Lahore.
• The Deputy/Assistant Directors (Field), EPA, District Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahudin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari and Khanewal.
• The Chairperson, Private Schools Association, Punjab for circulation among the concerned private educational institutions in the said districts.
• PA to Director General EPA Punjab

FAQs:

Q: Which schools are affected by this order? A: Schools up to the higher secondary level in Lahore are affected by this order.

Q: Will online classes be mandatory for all students? A: Schools have the flexibility to either close or shift to online mode. The decision will be made by individual schools.

Q: How long will the closure or online mode last? A: The duration of the closure or online mode will depend on the improvement in air quality conditions.

Q: What can be done to improve air quality? A: Individuals can contribute to improving air quality by reducing their reliance on private vehicles, opting for public transportation or carpooling, and avoiding open burning of waste.

Conclusion:

The closure or shifting to online mode of schools is a necessary step to protect the health of students and the general public during periods of severe air pollution. It is crucial for individuals and organizations to work together to adopt sustainable practices and reduce emissions to ensure cleaner air for future generations.

سموگ کی بدترین صورتحال کے باعث ہائر سکینڈری تک سکول بند کیے جارہے ہیں، مریم اورنگزیب سینئر صوبائی وزیر پنجاب

سموگ الرٹ
*لاہور، فیصل آباد ،ملتان، گوجرانولہ ڈویژن میں شامل تمام اضلاع کے تعلیمی ادارے 17 نومبر تک بند کرنے کا فیصلہ۔
لاھور میں فضائی آلودگی نے تمام ریکارڈ توڑ دیئے۔۔تمام ھائ سیکنڈری سکول کو بند کرنے کا فیصلہ۔۔ماسک لازمی پہنے۔۔۔۔گھروں سے کم باہر نکلے ۔۔۔یہی صورتحال رہی تو لاھور میں مکمل لاک ڈاون ھو گا۔۔۔