The Punjab government has announced a change in school timings, as the air quality level improves in the province.

The decision comes more than a month after the AQI reached the worst levels in the province. The October 23 notification was effective from October 28 to January 31, 2024. But the improvement in the environment prompted the government to revise the timing.

Earlier, it was a must for schools in Lahore not to begin before 8:45am. Assemblies were held in classrooms and outdoor activities were suspended.

All public and private schools will be required to open after 8:15am from December 4, 2024, according to a notification issued by Environment Director General Imran Hameed Sheikh on Tuesday.

“The notification is effective immediately,” it said.

It has been issued under the Environmental Protection Act of 1997. Sheikh stated that legal action would be taken against schools that violate such new timings. Penalties and punishments will be imposed for non-compliance.

“These measures are aimed at preventing environmental pollution and have been implemented to safeguard the health of students and teachers,” the environment DG said.

Schools in Punjab reopened on November 20, following an improvement in air quality.

Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, closed schools in its major cities on November 6, and on Friday extended the closure to November 24. Last month, the smog situation in Punjab was declared a “calamity.”

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Recent changes in wind direction have led to a notable improvement in air quality, with Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) finally dropping out of the hazardous category for the first time in 12 days. Meteorologists predict that smog intensity will continue to decrease in the coming days, allowing students to return to classrooms safely.

This comes a day after the provincial government eased anti-smog measures and revised the timings of hotels and restaurants.