Lahore Education Authority Makes Face Masks Mandatory for All School Students Amid Smog

The District Education Authority in Lahore has made face masks mandatory for students across all public and private schools in the city as part of efforts to shield children from the health risks of smog. School administrations have been directed to implement smog-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) strictly and to ensure that every student wears a mask on campus.

The chief executive officer of the education authority has also asked schools to encourage students to drink plenty of water throughout the day and to arrange awareness seminars focused on smog prevention and safety precautions. Institutions have been told that full compliance with the guidelines is required in order to protect students' health.

Lahore and other parts of Punjab routinely experience severe smog during the winter months, when a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and crop burning pushes air quality to hazardous levels. Children are among the groups most vulnerable to respiratory problems linked to prolonged exposure to polluted air, which makes schools a key focus of protective measures.

The directive places responsibility on school administrations to monitor adherence and to keep students informed about simple precautions. Alongside mandatory masking, the emphasis on hydration and awareness sessions reflects a broader push to reduce the impact of poor air quality on young people during the school day.

The move is part of ongoing seasonal efforts by provincial authorities to manage the effects of smog on public health, particularly in educational settings where large numbers of students gather daily. Schools are expected to follow the instructions closely as air quality conditions continue to be monitored across the city.