A middle school in Linzhou, Henan province was recently criticized for asking nearly 400 students to take exams in the smog, in spite of the fact that local education authorities had instructed kindergartens, primary schools and middle schools in the region to temporarily cancel classes, local media reported.

The students sat for English and math exams in the morning, and Chinese and physics exams on the afternoon of Dec. 19, according to one student. The headmaster acknowledged that the exams weren't urgent, but argued that they had been organized in advance of the heavy smog.

The Bureau of Education in Linzhou said on Dec. 21 that the school's headmaster, Feng Jisheng, has been suspended. Other staff involved in the decision have also received corresponding punishments.