Following a reduction in smog due to a change in the wind speed and direction, the Punjab government on Monday ordered the reopening of all schools and colleges in the province from tomorrow, barring Lahore and Multan divisions, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
As per the notification issued with the signatures of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, schools would not open before 8:45 AM.
The notification said that all students, teachers and the staff of educational institution would wear facemasks, and the ban on all kinds of outdoor and extracurricular activities would remain in place.
Likewise, it said there would be separate timings for the classes to be over so that traffic congestion could be avoided.
The provincial government made it binding on schools’ administrations to ensure that precautionary measures were implemented.
Also on Monday, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the government had to take some tough decisions in view of the gravity of the situation. “Children’s education is extremely important. But we just cannot compromise on their health.”
Rawalpindi Divisions schools reopen
After improvement in smog situation, it has been decided to reopen all educational institutions in Rawalpindi Division from tomorrow (Tuesday).
A notification has been issued earlier in the day for reopening private and public schools in all four districts of Rawalpindi Division.
According to the notification, educational activities will resume in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock and Chakwal from tomorrow.
All private and government educational institutions should be reopened from November 19, the notification said.
The decision was taken after the improvement in air quality index.
In the earlier notification, holidays were given till November 24.
Reporters: Rao Dilshad Hussain and Ershad Qureshi