Primary and secondary schools as well as kindergartens in Beijing will be equipped with air purifiers on a pilot basis to deal with air pollution, the city’s education authority said on Jan. 5.

The Beijing Municipal Education Commission said schools will expand the installation of the equipment city-wide through a pilot program financed by the municipal government.

The statement came after the capital city was shrouded in heavy smog for a majority of the days in recent months, prompting primary schools, secondary schools and kindergartens to suspend classes several times and stop all kinds of outdoor activities.

The decision was made after discussions with environmental experts, research institutions and businesses regarding the feasibility on installing air purifiers in schools, the education authority said.

Air purification at activity areas such as classrooms, play grounds will be focused, and flexible teaching arrangements will be made, in efforts to protect students’ health. At the same, schools will enhance education of self-protection in heavily polluted days.

The education authority also vowed to adopt more emergency measures in the face of pollution challenges to ensure the health and safety of school children.

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