With all primary institutions in Delhi ordered closure till November 10 and schools asked to consider holding online classes for Grades 6-12 in the wake of the worsening pollution levels in the region, students and parents flay the authorities for having failed to act beforehand.
What is the directive?
Delhi’s Education Minister Atishi on Monday morning tweeted on social media platform X: “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.”
The move comes in the wake of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording a ‘severe’ air quality, with the air quality index (AQI) at 437 this morning. An AQI of over 300 means hazardous air quality that’s very dangerous for people’s lungs. The AQI has been in this category for the past four days.
Such are the pollution levels that the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has enforced the Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR. GRAP is an emergency response mechanism, activated when AQI levels shoot up in Delhi-NCR.
The anger:
The high pollution levels in the national capital have again triggered angry reactions among students and parents, who claim to be fed up with the perennial “indifferent attitude” of the authorities.
“It’s every year’s story. The authorities never act beforehand. Only when the pollution levels spike, they would come up with empty promises to control the same in the future. Again, it’s the same story next year, but overall it’s us the children who suffer the most,” says Sushila Dang, a student of DPS-Delhi.
“Why should our children suffer due to the failure of the authorities who have done nothing in the past few years to curb the rising pollution levels in Delhi. I had to take my 12-year-old son to a doctor this weekend after he complained of breathing difficulties. He has been advised pump,” says Raj Tripathi, a parent.
“We are suffering. Please do something,” appeals Anita Pandey, a Class IX student of Salwan International School. “It’s high time the government took care of children by at least saving our lungs,” she says.
What do schools say?
“Our school will remain closed this week. No classes for primary students and online lessons for those in higher classes. We are doing our bit, the authorities should do theirs too,” says Reshma Sachdev, academic supervisor of Ours Pride School.
The doctor’s prescription:
Doctors urge children to stay indoors. “Children up to the age of 12 particularly should not venture out unless it’s really urgent. In case they step out, children should wear an N95 mask. In case of any breathing difficulty, parents should immediately consult a doctor instead of trying home remedies,” says Dr Pratik Soi, a pulmonologist.
Picture Credit: The Quint, The Hindustan Times
