RAWALPINDI: All educational institutions in Rawalpindi division will reopen on Tuesday (today) after improvement in smog situation.

A notification in this regard was issued by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Punjab, on Monday.

The notification will apply on the districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal. Students, teachers and staff have been directed to attend educational institutions on Tuesday. Institutions in Murree district are already open.

The Environment Protection Department issued the notification on the recommendation of Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak, who in an official letter had suggested opening all educational institutions for regular classes.

Decision taken after smog level decreases

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema in his official message mentioned the better air quality in Rawalpindi and said activities should be started immediately in all public and private sector educational institutions in Rawalpindi division.

The Punjab government had announced holidays for higher secondary schools from November 13 to 17th and extended them to Nov 24. However, after improvement in the smog situation was observed, the provincial government asked the schools to start regular classes instead of online classes.

Last week, the Punjab government had stated that it was striving to control all possible intrinsic factors which caused air pollution and deteriorated quality of ambit air.

The provincial government stated that preemptive measures against all sources of air pollution had already been started by Environment Protection Agency Punjab as well as other departments concerned.

It stated the average AQI of these districts had crossed the critical limit of 500 which was alarmingly hazardous for human health and wellbeing. Likewise, reports are being received that an unprecedented rise in the number of patients with lungs and respiratory diseases, allergies, eye and throat irritation, pink eye disease is being observed in different parts of the province.

The spread of conjunctivitis/pink eye disease due to bacterial or viral infection, smoke, dust or chemical exposure is posing a serious and imminent threat to public health. Hence, it is mandatory to take all necessary measures for prevention and control of these diseases.

On the other hand, Private Schools Association hailed the decision of the government and said it was difficult for many schools to conduct online classes as most students did not have the facility of a computer or a mobile phone.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024