LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: In a significant initiative aimed at addressing the issue of smog, the Lahore District Education Authority (DEA) has made a crucial announcement. Private schools are now mandated to offer transportation facilities to 60% of their students.
A session of the authority took place in Lahore, presided over by DEA Chief Executive Officer Pervez Akhtar. During the meeting, the focus was on the procurement of school buses in light of the escalating smog levels. Representatives from 30 prominent private schools in Lahore were in attendance.
The DEA has explicitly instructed private schools to ensure transportation facilities for children, emphasizing the importance of complying with the Lahore High Court’s directives to acquire buses at any cost.
Akhtar underscored that private schools must make arrangements to provide transport services for 60% of their students. During the meeting, officials from private schools requested time to secure the buses, and they will soon submit a report detailing the progress of the procurement.
To enforce adherence to the directives, private schools will be obligated to purchase the buses and submit certificates as proof. Failure to comply with these guidelines will result in penalties for the schools.
Previously, a significant number of students in private schools relied on private transport services for their commute to and from home.
Pakistan Allocates Rs350 Million For Artificial Rain To Combat Smog In Lahore
Meanwhile, to combat smog in Lahore, approximately Rs350 million has been allocated for artificial rain measures. The Finance Secretary’s summary, which outlines the budget for these initiatives, is awaiting approval from the caretaker Chief Minister, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir of Punjab mentioned that cloud seeding is considered the most expeditious artificial rain technology. He also noted that China has been consulted on this matter, and experts from China are expected to visit Pakistan soon.
