As the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi has been increasing which already reached hazardous category and there is no sign to end this in the coming days, Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Sunday said primary schools in Delhi will remain closed till November 10 given the worsening air pollution situation in the national capital. Schools in Delhi have been given the option of shifting to online classes for students of grades 6-12.
“As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till 10th November. For grades 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes,” Atishi said in a post on X.
“In view of the AQI of Delhi breaching the ‘Severe’ category (with 400+ AQI), it is ordered that physical classes from Pre School to Class V shall further remain suspended upto November 10, 2023. For classes VI onwards, the Heads of Schools shall have the option either to call students for physical classes or to have these classes conducted online -depending on the digital infrastructure & readiness of the school to conduct online classes,” stated in the order issued by the Directorate of Education. “Wherever the classes are not being held physically, all teachers shall continue to come to schools regularly and take online classes sincerely. HoDs to inform parents of students about these arrangements immediately. Further orders will be issued in due course of time,” it said.
The Centre on Sunday ordered a ban on construction work related to linear public projects in Delhi-NCR and the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into the capital as an air quality crisis gripped the region.These measures constitute the final stage, Stage IV, of the Centre’s air pollution control plan, which is activated at least three days before the Air Quality Index surpasses the 450 mark in the Capital.
The development comes as the air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas continues to remain in the ‘severe’ category for the third straight day. The Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday ordered a ban on construction work related to linear public projects in Delhi-NCR and the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into the capital as an air quality crisis gripped the region.These measures constitute the final stage, Stage IV, of the Centre’s air pollution control plan, which is activated at least three days before the Air Quality Index surpasses the 450 mark in the capital.
The overall AQI of Delhi stood at 460 as of 7 am on Sunday. The AQI stood at 490 in Dwarka Sector 9, 482 in IGI Airport T3, 479 in Bawana, 478 in Wazirpur, 465 in Jahangirpuri, 464 in Aya Nagar, 430 in Lodhi Road, and at 478 in Siri Fort.