The Lahore High Court has ordered schools in Pakistan to provide pick-and-drop transportation services for students after the winter holidays, citing concerns over smog pollution. The directive was issued by Justice Shahid Karim during a hearing on petitions filed by Haroon Farooq and others. Schools that fail to comply with this order will face closure, and parents will not be informed that they are responsible for their children's transportation. The court also ordered the transport authorities to develop a vehicle fitness policy within 15 days, requiring regular inspections every three months and the issuance of fitness certificates.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1254020-lhc-orders-schools-to-provide-transport-to-students-after-winter-breakThe Indian government has ordered schools in New Delhi to shut due to worsening air pollution, affecting nearly two million students. The policy aims to protect the health of children from the toxic smog that chokes the city each winter. However, this measure disproportionately impacts poorer families like Harshita Gautam's, who rely on free meals provided by her school and struggle to afford alternative measures such as air purifiers. As a result, many students are confined to their homes, where they often have limited access to education and healthcare. The city's schools, including the Swami Sivananda Memorial Institute, face disruptions due to frequent closures, which can exacerbate the learning gap for students.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2024/11/23/why-delhis-kids-are-losing-more-than-just-school-days-due-to-toxic-air/157751