The Punjab School Education Department has issued urgent instructions under the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026 to protect students and staff from the harmful effects of smog and poor air quality. The new Punjab schools smog guidelines direct educational institutions to limit outdoor activities, check AQI levels, restrict outdoor play, encourage the use of face masks during school hours, avoid unnecessary travel during unhealthy air-quality conditions, and keep doors and windows closed to reduce exposure to polluted air.
Subject: PRE- SMOG ACTION PLAN 2026 (JULY- SEPT, 2026) – INSTRUCTION REGARDING PREVENTIVE MEASURES DURING SMOG
I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of Order No. 507/PA/DG/EPA/2026 dated 05.07.2026, received from the Director General, Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Govt. of the Punjab, Lahore, on the above-captioned subject.
2. I am further directed to request you to implement the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026 to ensure prevention and mitigation of smog during the upcoming season. In this regard, the following instructions from the School Education Department regarding preventive measures for curbing SMOG may be disseminated to all heads of the institutions working under your administrative control for strict implementation and awareness of students during smog:
• Limit outdoor activities.
• Check AQI level before outdoor workout/exercise.
• Wear face masks during school hours.
• Restrict students from playing outdoors.
• Avoid unnecessary travelling, residing, and visits to areas with unhealthy AQI or during severe AQI episodes.
• Keep the doors and windows closed to reduce outdoor air intake.
(MUHAMMAD TAHIR)
SECTION OFFICER (ACADEMICS-I)
ACADEMICS
CC:
A copy is forwarded for information and necessary action to the:-
1. Senior Minister, (SM) Chief Minister’s Office Punjab
2. Director General (Monitoring and Evaluation), (Monitoring and Evaluation)
School Education Department
SO(A-I)2-3/2019(P-I)
GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB
SCHOOL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Dated: 17th August, 2026
To,
ALL CEOs (DEA) IN PUNJAB
پری اسموگ ایکشن پلان 2026: پنجاب کے سکولوں کے لیے اہم حفاظتی ہدایات
پنجاب سکول ایجوکیشن ڈیپارٹمنٹ نے پری سموگ ایکشن پلان 2026 کے تحت پنجاب بھر کے تعلیمی اداروں میں اسموگ کے مضر اثرات سے بچاؤ اور فضائی آلودگی کے خطرات کو کم کرنے کے لیے اہم حفاظتی ہدایات جاری کر دی ہیں۔ محکمہ سکول ایجوکیشن نے تمام چیف ایگزیکٹو آفیسرز ڈسٹرکٹ ایجوکیشن اتھارٹی کو ہدایت کی ہے کہ یہ اقدامات اپنے انتظامی کنٹرول میں کام کرنے والے تمام تعلیمی اداروں کے سربراہان تک پہنچائے جائیں اور ان پر سختی سے عمل درآمد یقینی بنایا جائے۔
محکمہ کی جانب سے یہ ہدایات ڈائریکٹر جنرل، انوائرنمنٹ پروٹیکشن ایجنسی، حکومت پنجاب، لاہور کے حکم نامہ نمبر 507/PA/DG/EPA/2026 مورخہ 05 جولائی 2026 کی روشنی میں جاری کی گئی ہیں۔ ان اقدامات کا مقصد آنے والے اسموگ سیزن کے دوران اسموگ کی روک تھام، اس کے اثرات میں کمی اور طلبہ و سکول اسٹاف کی صحت و سلامتی کو یقینی بنانا ہے۔
پنجاب کے سکولوں کے لیے اسموگ سے بچاؤ کی اہم ہدایات
– بیرونی سرگرمیوں کو محدود کیا جائے۔
– بیرونِ خانہ ورزش یا جسمانی سرگرمی سے قبل ائیر کوالٹی انڈیکس کی سطح چیک کی جائے۔
– سکول کے اوقات کار کے دوران چہرے پر ماسک استعمال کیا جائے۔
– طلبہ کو بیرونِ خانہ کھیلنے سے روکا جائے۔
– غیر ضروری سفر اور غیر صحت بخش اے کیو ائی والے علاقوں میں غیر ضروری آمدورفت سے گریز کیا جائے۔
– شدید فضائی آلودگی یا فضائی آلودگی کی شدید صورتحال کے دوران خصوصی احتیاطی تدابیر اختیار کی جائیں۔
– بیرونی آلودہ ہوا کے سکول میں داخلے کو کم کرنے کے لیے دروازے اور کھڑکیاں بند رکھی جائیں۔
سکول سربراہان کے لیے اہم پیغام
تمام سربراہانِ ادارہ ہدایت پر سختی سے عمل درآمد کو یقینی بنائیں اور طلبہ و اساتذہ کو اسموگ، فضائی آلودگی اور اے کیو ائی کے حوالے سے ضروری آگاہی فراہم کریں۔ بروقت احتیاطی اقدامات اختیار کرکے اسموگ کے مضر اثرات کو کم کرنے اور تعلیمی ماحول کو محفوظ بنانے میں مدد مل سکتی ہے۔
جاری کردہ:
محمد طاہر
سیکشن آفیسر (اکیڈمکس-ون)
سکول ایجوکیشن ڈیپارٹمنٹ، حکومت پنجاب
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026 for Schools
1. What is the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026?
The Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026 is a preventive plan introduced to control air pollution and reduce the risk of smog before the peak smog season. The plan covers the period from July to September 2026.
2. Why is the Pre-Smog Action Plan important for schools?
Schools are important because students spend a significant part of their day in educational institutions. Preventive measures can help reduce students’ exposure to polluted air and support a healthier learning environment.
3. Which schools are covered under the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026?
The applicable requirements depend on the directions issued by the relevant Punjab Government departments and district authorities. Schools should follow the latest official notifications and instructions issued by their competent authorities.
4. What measures can schools take to control smog?
Schools can support anti-smog efforts by avoiding activities that generate unnecessary dust or smoke, maintaining clean surroundings, promoting awareness among students, and following government-issued environmental and health-related instructions.
5. What is the role of schools in preventing air pollution?
Schools can play an important role by educating students about air pollution, discouraging activities that contribute to pollution, maintaining cleanliness, and cooperating with district authorities in implementing anti-smog measures.
6. What is the duration of the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026?
The official Punjab Environment Protection Department lists the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026 for the period July to September 2026.
7. Are District Anti-Smog Committees involved in the implementation?
Yes. The Punjab Environment Protection Department has issued directions regarding implementation of the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026 and activation of District Anti-Smog Committees.
8. What should school administrations do during the pre-smog period?
School administrations should remain updated about official instructions, implement applicable preventive measures, maintain clean school premises, and cooperate with district authorities regarding anti-smog activities.
9. Can schools conduct awareness activities about smog?
Yes. Schools can conduct educational and awareness activities to help students understand the causes of air pollution, the effects of smog, and practical ways to reduce pollution.
10. Where can schools check the official Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026?
Schools and education officials should consult the official Punjab Environment Protection Department and relevant government notifications for the latest instructions and implementation details.
11. What should schools do if new anti-smog instructions are issued?
School administrations should follow the latest instructions issued by the competent government authority and ensure that applicable measures are implemented within the specified time.
12. Is the Pre-Smog Action Plan only for schools?
No. The Pre-Smog Action Plan is a broader environmental initiative. Schools are one of the sectors that may be required to follow relevant preventive measures and government directions.
