Air pollution crisis: Delhi government orders primary schools closure

In a drastic move to shield young children from the pernicious ‘severe’ air quality engulfing the national capital, the Delhi government has mandated an immediate shutdown of all primary schools until November 10. This urgent directive was relayed on X by Delhi Education Minister and AAP leader Atishi, sending waves of concern across the region on Sunday.

Online Transition for Delhi’s Grade 6-12 Amid Air Quality Woes

As the blanket of toxic air continues to shroud Delhi, the Delhi government has presented a silver lining for older students, allowing schools for Grade 6-12 to pivot to online learning platforms. Atishi emphasized the flexibility in her announcement, which echoed across the digital realm. The announcement builds upon an earlier decision that saw schools being closed till November 2 as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself took to X, highlighting the severity of the air pollution crisis.

Delhi Government Declares School Shutdown Amid ‘Severe’ Pollution Levels. Photo courtesy of alvpics from Pixabay.

Delhi’s Air Quality Crisis Escalates, Forcing Schools to Go Digital

With the air quality index staggering at a hazardous 460, the Delhi government, acting in concert with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), has advocated for online classrooms for nursery to fifth grade, sidelining traditional offline methods for the foreseeable start of November. This decision comes as a response to the consistent ‘severe’ category AQI levels that have choked not only Delhi but its neighboring cities Noida and Gurugram as well.

In an unprecedented enactment of the Graded Response Action Plan’s Stage III, the Centre has introduced a slew of stringent restrictions aimed at staunching the pollution bleeding into the air, including the halting of non-essential construction and limitations on vehicle movement. Amidst these sweeping measures, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has deployed innovative measures like Mechanical Road Sweepers and anti-smog guns, hoping to curtail the environmental hazard that has led to an educational standstill in the country’s heart.