The annual winter smog crisis in Pakistan and India has once again reached alarming levels, significantly impacting public health and disrupting daily life, including the education sector.
Lahore, a city of 14 million residents, was the world’s most polluted city in November, with an air quality index (AQI) reading surpassing 1,400, according to IQAir, a Swiss air quality data platform.
As hazardous air quality persists, schools are forced to close, and children fall ill, leading to widespread educational disruptions. The government reported that nearly 2 million people sought hospital check-ups concerning respiratory issues, eye infections and skin ailments as a result of hazardous air pollution in the last few weeks.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of air pollutants, specifically fine particles (PM2.5), larger particles (PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) in the air. The Index is not a linear metric. Instead, it emphasizes health impacts, with higher values of pollutants meaning very high AQI. An AQI of 151 to 200 is classified as “unhealthy”, 201 to 300 as “very unhealthy”, and more than 300 as “hazardous”. After Lahore’s AQI exceeded 1,000 last week, authorities closed all primary and secondary schools.
As air quality deteriorates, authorities in both countries have been compelled to close schools to protect students’ health. While this measure is necessary to mitigate the immediate health risks, it also disrupts the education process, leading to significant learning loss.
The toxic smog, which contains harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses serious health risks, particularly for children. Exposure to pollutants during developmental stages can impair brain function, reduce IQ, and increase the risk of learning disabilities. Considering the negative impact of smog, in November 2024, the Punjab government in Pakistan ordered the closure of all primary schools in Lahore. This decision affected millions of children and disrupted their education for weeks.
Research has shown that school closures, even for short periods, can have a lasting impact on students’ academic progress. Prolonged absences can hinder their ability to keep up with the curriculum, widen achievement gaps, and negatively affect their overall educational outcomes.
A study conducted at Xi’an Jiaotong University in China tracked 2,170 Beijing students for two years. The researchers discovered that when air pollution (PM2.5) exceeded 100 μg/m³, test scores dropped by 5.8%. During heavy smog days, school attendance fell by 3.5%. Students particularly struggled with mathematics and sciences, showing a strong link between air quality and cognitive performance.
In the United Kingdom, the Manchester University study in 2020 focused on younger students aged 7-11, with alarming findings. During peak pollution periods, respiratory-related absences increased by 35%. Schools in high-traffic areas reported 15% lower test scores compared to other locations. However, when air quality improvement measures were implemented, academic performance improved by 8%.
These studies collectively demonstrate that air pollution significantly impacts educational outcomes, with both immediate effects on health and attendance. The situation in Pakistan and India is much more severe than that in the UK and China, and the impact it has on students’ educational outcomes is beyond comprehension.
To address the ongoing smog crisis and its impact on education, Pakistan and India must implement comprehensive measures to improve air quality and protect public health. These measures may include:
By taking decisive action to combat air pollution, Pakistan and India can safeguard the health and well-being of their children and ensure that education continues uninterrupted, even in the face of environmental challenges.
This article is written by Talha Hyder and Dawar Hameed Butt. Talha Hyder, an MPhil student specializing in Education Management and Leadership at Lahore University of Management Sciences, also contributes to the corporate world as a communication professional at Bank Alfalah. Dawar Hameed Butt brings his expertise as a policy analyst and communications consultant with a focus on governance, public policy, and sustainability. He actively serves as the director of Climate Finance Pakistan and the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), enhancing public understanding and actions towards better environmental practices.