Schools in Delhi-NCR are closed till November 25

Even though the air quality in Delhi has improved slightly, schools in the Delhi-NCR will remain closed while working online till November 25, 2024. The order was issued after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) improved from the ‘Severe’ to the ‘Very Poor’ category over the weekend. This notwithstanding, authorities have still deemed it unsafe to proceed with the physical classes.

The news of the closure, which was otherwise an impromptu measure against the health risks caused by severe pollution, affects all classes, including board-bound students in classes X and XII. Until now, these grades were allowed to attend physical classes because of upcoming Board exams, but growing pollution levels have also led to digital education for such crucial classes.

Affected areas include Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gurugram schools. The move is according to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) III, wherein schools must be shut down at hazardous thresholds of AQI values. Authorities in Faridabad and Gurugram said that online education for all grades will continue as smog and pollution concerns persist.

The Supreme Court’s (SC) recent intervention in pollution control called for stringent measures across NCR. Last week, the SC reprimanded local governments over inadequate responses to the crisis while demanding swift action to mitigate public health risks. In response to the SC’s directives, state authorities across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh extended school closures while keeping a close watch on improving air quality.

As the Central Pollution Control Board has said, there is a gradual improvement, with the AQI being recorded at 370 in Delhi on Sunday. Though conditions may continue until Monday and people need to remain vigilant, further updates on reopening shall come after an official review of the pollution levels later this week.

For now, though, students and teachers in Delhi-NCR will have to adjust again to online schooling as they wait for clearer skies and safer conditions.