As Delhi-NCR reels under a thick layer of smog, schools have taken several measures to protect children, including suspension of outdoor activities and introduction of breathing exercises in classes. All schools in Noida and Greater Noida were on Thursday asked to hold classes online for students up to Class 8 till Tuesday amid alarming levels of pollution in Delhi-NCR, according to an official order.
The schools have also been told to hold classes for students of Class 9 to 12 online as far as possible, said the order issued by Gautam Buddh Nagar's District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) Dharmveer Singh.
However, in Delhi, many schools have ruled out shutdown, saying it will disturb the pace of academic learning. But several parents in Delhi-NCR have supported the proposal to shut down schools while others have opposed the idea fearing another hit to studies already impacted by the Covid pandemic.
Some parents have also urged the Delhi Government to extend the school timings in view of the pollution.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had Wednesday asked the Delhi government to shut schools till air quality in the capital improves.
Delhi-NCR’s air quality continued to be in the 'severe' category on Thursday, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Sangeeta Hajela, Principal, DPS Indirapuram, said, “Shutting down schools would disturb the pace of students' academic learning, especially as Board exams are just 5 months away.”