After Delhi, Gurugram Orders Closing Of Schools Up To Class 5 Amid Rising Pollution

The order of the Gurugram authority comes amid the rising pollution levels in Gurugram and the neighbouring Delhi ordering the closure of physical classes and precautionary measures in Noida.

The Gurugram administration on Monday ordered the closure of schools up to 5th standard with effect from November 19 until further orders, Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar said.

The order comes amid the rising pollution levels in Gurugram and the neighbouring Delhi ordering the closure of physical classes and precautionary measures in Noida. 

A statement of Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram said that after an analysis of the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the district, pollution levels in some areas were found to be in the "very poor" category, while it touched the "severe" category in some other parts over the past 24 hours.

"Therefore, in the interest of the health and safety of children, all classes up to 5th standard will remain closed in all areas (urban and rural) of Gurugram district from November 19 till further orders," the order said.

"For students above class 5, online teaching will be conducted in place of physical classes at all government and private schools of the district," the order read.

The order comes shortly after the Delhi government announced that in-person classes will be suspended for classes 10 and 12 as the city choked under severe levels of pollution for the sixth straight day. "From tomorrow physical classes shall be suspended for Class 10 and 12 as well, and all studies will be shifted online," Chief Minister Atishi said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, the Gautam Buddh Nagar District Education Department has issued an advisory calling for precautionary measures to ensure student safety as no prohibition on physical classes has been announced.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Gurugram recorded an AQI of 469. Major NCR cities also recorded AQI in the severe category with Noida at 423 and Ghaziabad at 438. Other places like Bahadurgarh (453), Bhiwadi (447), Bhiwani (429), Churu (401), Dharuhera (447), and Hapur (431) also recorded an AQI above 400.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 and 100 'satisfactory,' 101 and 200 'moderate,' 201 and 300 'poor,' 301 and 400 'very poor,' 401 and 450 'severe,' and above 450 'severe plus.'