The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi Government, on Sunday announced that schools and colleges in the national Capital will remain closed until further orders. However, online mode of classes and the examination would be conducted as per the guidelines issued in the earlier circular.

The DoE’s circular came in  view of the noxious air quality as Government run agencies — the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) tagged the Capital’s air as very poor.

“The Directorate has directed to close all schools with immediate effect till further orders of the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region  and adjoining areas,” read the official circular by the DoE.

All the Government, Government-aided, unaided recognised, NDMC, MCDs and Delhi Cantonment Board Schools will remain closed till further orders.

On November 13, the Delhi Government had ordered the closure of schools till November 20 in view of the severe air pollution. Delhi’s air quality remained “very poor” on Sunday morning and strong surface winds are likely to bring some relief from high pollution levels during the day, SAFAR — a pollution monitoring agency said.

The city recorded its air quality index (AQI) at 382 at 9 am. The 24-hour average AQI was 374 on Saturday. Neighbouring Faridabad (347), Ghaziabad (344), Greater Noida (322), Gurugram (345) and Noida (356) also recorded their air quality in the “very poor” category.

From November 21 to November 23, surface winds are likely to be strong resulting in effective dispersion that improves air quality, said the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality monitor SAFAR.