The Punjab School Education Department has directed public schools to restrict outdoor activities and adopt preventive measures to protect students from smog.
According to a notification, the directives were issued under the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026 for July-September, prepared on the directions of the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency.
Schools have been instructed to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before allowing outdoor exercise or other physical activities. Students have also been advised to wear face masks during school hours and avoid outdoor sports when air quality deteriorates.
The department further directed students and school administrations to avoid unnecessary exposure to polluted air and refrain from visiting areas where AQI levels are unhealthy or hazardous.
Schools have also been asked to keep doors and windows closed to minimise the entry of polluted air into classrooms.
The department said the measures were aimed at preventing and mitigating the effects of smog and directed education authorities to ensure strict implementation across all public schools.
In a separate notification, the department announced the formation of committees at tehsil, district, divisional and provincial levels to organise sports activities for students.
The activities will include badminton, hockey, table tennis, cricket, volleyball, athletics, chess and football, with the initiative aimed at promoting sports and supporting students’ physical and mental well-being.
The department said the committees would prepare sports calendars from the end of next month.
The calendars at different administrative levels will be coordinated to ensure smooth competitions from the tehsil to provincial level.
All schools, including boys’ and girls’ institutions, have been directed to participate in the scheduled sporting activities.
