Delhi Primary Schools Shut Till November 10 Due To Pollution, Classes 6-12 Can Opt For Online Classes: Atishi

In a post on X, Delhi Minister Atishi announced that primary schools in Delhi will be further closed till November 10, in the wake of rising pollution in Delhi-NCR.

Delhi Pollution

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Following the worsening air pollution and dropping AQI (AIr Quality Index), All schools in the national capital Delhi will remain further closed till November 10th. Delhi Minister of Education, P.W.D, Culture and Tourism, Atishi, announced the further closure of primary schools in Delhi through a post on x (formerly Twitter). “As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till 10th November. For Grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes,” she said. 

After the announcement of closure of schools in Delhi by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on November 2, 2023, Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai said on Saturday that the decision on the further closure of schools shall be made on Monday. "The decision on the further closure of schools in Delhi will be taken on the basis of air quality on November 6, Monday," Gopal Rai said earlier after chairing a comprehensive review meeting of relevant department of the Delhi government to address the increasing air pollution levels and ensure the rigorous enforcement of GRAP-3 (Graded Response Action Plan) measures.

"We are not delaying the Odd-Even scheme. The Supreme Court has given the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) the mandate to take the decision. According to their direction, we are moving our steps. If the situation turns very serious, then we will take further decisions after discussing it with everyone, " Gopal Rai further said. 

Notably, on Thursday, Delhi CM Kejriwal announced the closure of all government schools in the national capital. The announcement came following the worsening air pollution and deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital region. The AQI in Delhi-NCR has dropped severely in the past few days engulfing the national capital region in layers of smog. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and Noida has entered the 'very poor' category as of Thursday evening, as per Central Pollution Control Board data. 

In light of the increasing pollution and degrading air quality in the national capital, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect in the entire National Capital Region (NCR).