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Once again, keeping in mind the deteriorating weather conditions in the national capital Delhi and the pollution that has reached dangerous levels, the Directorate of Education of the Delhi Government has taken a very big and strict decision, under which an official announcement has been made to keep all the government and private schools of the capital completely closed for the next three days. This new circular issued by the Directorate of Education has created a stir among the parents of the children and the school management, because this sudden decision has once again started the discussion on online classes and the methods of education of the children. With the onset of winter in Delhi, the air quality i.e. Air Quality Index has fallen to such an extent that there was a constant fear of it having a very bad and serious impact on the health of small children and school going students, in view of which the government has been forced to take this drastic step.
According to this latest and important circular issued by the Directorate of Education, Delhi, all the educational institutions from nursery to senior secondary classes located in various areas of the capital will remain closed for the next three days and during this period students will not be required to come to school. It has also been clearly instructed in the circular that physical classes i.e. offline studies in school premises will be completely suspended, so that children can be protected from the effects of poisonous air and bad weather. However, so that children’s education does not suffer, schools have been allowed to continue their classes through online mediums during these three days so that the curriculum can be completed on time. This order of the Education Department has been sent to all the zonal officers and school principals of Delhi with immediate effect so that it can be strictly followed.
The problem of air pollution in the capital Delhi and its surrounding NCR areas takes a terrible form every year with the onset of cold season, and this time too the situation remains more or less the same. The amount of dangerous micro particles like PM 2.5 and PM 10 in the air is being recorded many times more than the prescribed standards, due to which visibility has become extremely low and people are facing great difficulties in breathing. There were constant warnings from doctors and health experts that leaving small children out of the house in such a toxic environment can cause serious damage to their lungs and respiratory system, due to which diseases like asthma and allergies can spread rapidly. Keeping all these health warnings and public interest paramount, the Directorate of Education has taken this strict and necessary decision of these three days of holidays without any delay.
This decision of sudden closure of schools for three days has once again created new challenges related to logistics and child care for the working parents and guardians of Delhi. For households where both parents are employed, arranging child care suddenly becomes a big headache, while on the other hand, parents are also worried about the impact of online classes on children’s eyesight and mental health. However, since the Covid pandemic during the last few years, schools and students have become accustomed to the online education system, so switching to virtual classes this time is not proving to be too difficult for schools. Homework and study material are being delivered to the students by teachers through digital platforms so that there is no hindrance in the academic journey during this three-day holiday.
Delhi Government and Environment Ministry are continuously keeping a close watch on the situation at the ground level and further decisions are being taken based on the forecasts of the Meteorological Department. If no improvement in air quality is recorded in the coming days and this level of pollution remains the same, then the government can extend these holidays further, the official announcement of which will be made after reviewing the situation. At present, an appeal is being made to all the citizens of Delhi to come out of their homes only when absolutely necessary and to keep children away from outdoor activities. The purpose of these instructions of the Directorate of Education is only to protect the health of children, and it is hoped that soon after the weather clears up, schools will be able to reopen on their normal timings and smoothly.