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New Delhi: AAP-led Kejriwal govt directed all schools will close for a winter break from November 9 to 18 – in view of the toxic smog that has blanketed the city for six straight days – the city’s Directorate of Education said Wednesday, noting “no respite from adverse weather conditions” has been predicted over the next few days.
This move comes at the key meet chaired by Environment Minister Gopal Rai and attended by Education Minister Atishi, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and senior Delhi government officials. “In view of air pollution, the winter break for all schools, which is usually from December, has been rescheduled, now to be from November 9-18,” the Delhi education department said.
All schools in Delhi have been ordered to suspend physical classes, except for classes 10 and 12, until November 10 in view of surging pollution levels, Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Monday.
To ensure that school closure does not have any adverse impact on students’ studies, these holidays are being adjusted with the winter holidays.
DELHI AIR QUALITY ‘SEVERE’
The overall air quality in Delhi dropped back to the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday, only a day after showing a slight improvement when it was in the ‘very poor’ category.
The city’s overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 421 at 7 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Several air monitoring stations, including Anand Vihar, Dwarka, Shadipur, Mandir Marg, ITO, R K Puram, Punjabi Bagh, North Campus, Mathura Road, Rohini, Patparganj, Okhla, India Gate, Mundka recorded and AQI above 400 at 6 am. AQI in Anand Vihar was recorded at 452, in RK Puram at 433, in Punjabi Bagh at 460 and in ITO at 413.
“In view of the implementation of Stage IV Graded Response Action Plan order issued by CAQM, it is ordered that all classes – except 10 and 12 — in all schools of Delhi shall be held online up to November 10. Teachers shall come to school and conduct classes online,” a circular from the DoE said. “As for the Board classes, the Head of Schools shall have the option either to conduct the same online or call the students to school for physical classes,” the circular said.
