Punjab Govt announces guidelines for school reopening

Punjab announces school reopening with mask mandate, staggered timings, and smog-related safety protocols.

The Punjab government has announced new guidelines for the reopening of schools, with strict precautions in place to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff amid ongoing concerns over air quality and smog.

According to a notification issued by the provincial government, schools outside of Lahore and Multan will reopen starting tomorrow, but they will not open before 8:45 AM.

The notification also mandates that all students, teachers, and school staff must wear masks, and school administrations will be responsible for ensuring compliance with this directive.

Additionally, outdoor sports and extracurricular activities will remain suspended until further notice. To prevent traffic congestion, schools will stagger break times based on grade levels.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb addressed the situation, stating that difficult decisions had been made to protect public health, noting that the change in the direction and speed of the eastern winds had improved the smog situation in Punjab.

As per the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, educational institutions in all districts except Lahore and Multan will reopen from tomorrow.

Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of children’s education, but insisted that health should never be compromised. She urged school administrations to ensure adherence to safety measures and thanked the public for their cooperation.

The minister also praised the efforts of the provincial departments, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), police, and local administration.