Punjab schools limit outdoor activities amid smog warnings

Schools across Punjab are being instructed to curb outdoor activities as part of the Pre-Smog Action Plan 2026, aimed at protecting students from hazardous air pollution during the smog season. The School Education Department has directed all public schools to implement preventive measures, including limiting outdoor exercises and closely monitoring the Air Quality Index (AQI).

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Under the instructions, schools have been told to limit outdoor activities and check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before allowing outdoor workouts or exercises.

Students are now required to wear face masks during school hours, and schools must restrict outdoor play when air quality is poor. The department also advised avoiding unnecessary outdoor exposure in areas with unhealthy AQI levels. To minimize the intake of polluted air, schools are instructed to keep doors and windows closed. These directives are intended to prevent and mitigate the effects of smog, with education authorities tasked with ensuring strict implementation across all institutions.

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Students have been directed to wear face masks during school hours, while schools have been asked to restrict students from playing outdoors during periods of poor air quality.

In parallel, the School Education Department has established committees at tehsil, district, divisional, and provincial levels. These committees will oversee the organization of sports activities such as badminton, hockey, table tennis, cricket, volleyball, athletics, chess, and football. The initiative aims to promote sports and maintain students' physical and mental health. The department plans to synchronize sports activity calendars across different tiers to ensure seamless competitions, encouraging participation from both boys' and girls' institutions.

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Schools have also been directed to keep doors and windows closed to reduce the intake of polluted air.