By According to a notification released on Wednesday, due to the prevailing smog in the city, Lahore schools would remain closed for an additional two days each week—Friday and Saturday.
The School Education Department’s notification explained that the decision to close the schools weekly was made per the Lahore High Court’s instructions (LHC).
Every private and public school in District Lahore must follow the ruling.
“In compliance with the directions of honourable Lahore High Court, Lahore, in writ petition No. 227807/ 2018 vide order dated 02-12-2022, it is notified that owing to prevailing SMOG condition, all Public & Private Schools in District Lahore shall remain closed on every Friday & Saturday, in addition to the weekly holiday on Sunday till further orders,”
Additionally, it was stated that during school closures, the chief executive officer of the District Education Authority (DEA), Lahore, along with the relevant heads, would manage the distribution of homework to the students.
Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi declared the smog a “calamity” and ordered the effective implementation of a plan intended to reduce smog in the province. He also added that steps needed to be taken to control the smog’s causes.
The CM stated that the ongoing SOPs to minimize smog must be implemented fully; failing to do so would not be accepted. The departments of environmental protection department (EPD), transportation, and industries should go into the field in coordination with administrative officers.
He had stated that people who set crop wastes on fire should face “indiscriminate action,” which is prohibited in the entire province.
Last week, the judge noted that the government had failed to manage smog and urged the Environment Protection Agency to develop guidelines to strengthen penalties for brick kilns and companies that violated laws and policies.
Smog, according to Justice Karim, has been causing health problems among individuals, particularly youngsters and the elderly.
