The Commission for Air Quality Management has allowed schools in Delhi and NCR to reopen in a phased manner. The commission has suggested reopening the schools for students of classes 6 and above only with immediate effect. Further, the commission has added that
schools for students of classes up to 5 can reopen from December 27, 2021.
After the announcement made by the Commission for Air Quality Management, the Delhi government has allowed all schools to resume physical classes from Class 6 onwards from December 18.
"All the Government, Government aided, unaided recognised, NDMC, MCDs and Delhi Cantonment Board Schools will reopen from December 18 for classes 6 onwards," read the circular.
City government has earlier closed all schools and colleges in view of the increased air pollution however the parents in Delhi last week took to Twitter demanding reopening of schools and made a Twitter campaign with #backtoschool, where concerns were raised as the decision of closure of schools will hamper the learning of students.
Revieing the situation and keeping mental wellness of children at top most, the Delhi government had approved the Commission to allow reopening of schools.
Releasing an order, CAQM said that after receiving large number of representations arguing the compelling necessity to open the schools and educational institutions and following the directions of Supreme Court, the Commission examined the requests of various organisations regarding relaxations on restrictions imposed. “CAQM reviewed the restrictions imposed on opening of schools, colleges and educational institutions vide Direction No. 46 dated 02/12/2021.
The Commission directed all the State Governments of NCR and GNCTD to follow a phased re-opening approach in respect of schools, colleges and educational institutions located within the NCR.
State Governments of NCR and GNCTD have been advised to take immediate decision for resumption of physical classes in schools (standard VI onwards), colleges, educational institutions, skill development & training institutes, other training institutes and libraries. The Commission also directed the State Governments of NCR and GNCTD to take the decision for resumption of physical classes, for students up to V standard, w.e.f. 27th December, 2021, duly considering the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the winter vacation schedule,” it said.
CAQM said it has received arguments that were made for the reopening of schools were children are out of school for about two years leading to frustration among children with serious adverse effect on their studies, large number of students are not able to get the facility of online education; As per the academic programme, schools are required to impart education to children for about 220 days annually and not opening schools are hampering physical and mental health as well as emotional growth of children and students and parents have been approaching school authorities to reopen schools. “Taking into consideration the submissions made and in light of improvement of AQI of Delhi from ‘Severe’ to ‘Very Poor’ category, the Commission via its Direction No. 50 today directed the State Governments of NCR and GNCTD allowed re-opening of schools and educational institutions in a phased manner,” it said.