The Punjab government has ordered the closure of all private and public schools in the province due to increasing smog and air pollution.

As a result of the rising smog and air quality issues, it has been decided that all schools will remain closed until November 17.

Previously, schools were closed in eight districts, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, and Sahiwal. However, the Minister of Education for Punjab has now extended the closure order to all schools across the province, and a notification has been issued.

According to the notification, all public and private schools will remain closed until November 17. Additionally, it has been instructed that both public and private educational institutions, as well as tutoring centers, should transition to online sessions.

Officials have stated that the decision to close educational institutions was made due to rising air quality index levels and increasing respiratory, eye, and throat-related illnesses caused by air pollution.

In a statement, Punjab’s Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat mentioned that, in light of the growing effects of smog, schools are being closed across all districts. This decision was made based on complaints received from various districts.

He acknowledged the impact on education but emphasized that the closure of schools was a necessary measure to protect children from harmful effects. He also noted that an alternative strategy for online teaching is being developed due to the challenges faced in the current online education system.

Schools have been closed in five more divisions of Punjab affected by smog. Due to smog, orders have been issued to close all schools up to the 12th grade in these five divisions, and a notification regarding the school closures has been released.

According to the notification, schools in Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi divisions will be closed from November 13 to 17. Classes for up to the 12th grade will continue online, and private tutoring centers will also remain closed until November 17.

Out of Punjab’s ten divisions, only the Gujrat division remains open for schools. The Director of Environment in Punjab has advised people to avoid unnecessary outings.

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The Director General of Environment Punjab urged citizens to minimize outdoor activities unless absolutely necessary. The notification for the school closures has been officially issued.

On the other hand, the rise in smog across Punjab has led to a significant increase in various illnesses, with millions of people reporting health issues and seeking hospital care over the past month.

According to the health department, the smog has caused a dangerous surge in patient numbers throughout the province. Pollution and dust have contributed to the rise of four major health conditions, with 68,412 patients reported in just 24 hours.

The Punjab health department noted that 61,918 cases of colds, coughs, and flu were recorded, along with 4,250 patients suffering from respiratory difficulties, 1,627 with heart diseases, and 210 with stroke-related issues. Additionally, 407 individuals were reported to have eye-related ailments.