Delhi Pollution: As Air Quality Remains 'Very Poor', Schools To Remain Shut Until Further Orders

According to local authorities, the air quality remained very poor on Sunday morning. At 9 a.m., the city's air quality index (AQI) was 382. On Saturday, the 24-hour average AQI was 374.

Representational Image. (File Photo)

New Delhi: The Directorate of Education (DoE) on Sunday announced that the schools across Delhi will remain closed until further notice. The decision has been taken in view of the deteriorating air quality crisis within the national capital.

According to local authorities, the air quality remained very poor on Sunday morning. At 9 a.m., the city's air quality index (AQI) was 382. On Saturday, the 24-hour average AQI was 374.

"The Department of Environment, GNCTD vide order F. NO. 10 (13)/ENV/2020/Pt-2/5214- 5243 dated November 17, 2021 has directed to close all the schools with immediate effect till further orders of the Commission For Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas. Therefore, in pursuance of the above-mentioned order, all the Government, Government Aided, Unaided Recognized, NDMC, MCDs and Delhi Cantonment Board Schools will remain closed till further orders. However, Online teaching-learning activities and the examinations for Board classes would be conducted as per guidelines issued earlier vide Circular No. DE.23 ( 28 )/Sch.Br./2021/637 dated 14.11.2021," reads the official order.

"The environment department has directed to close all the schools with immediate effect till further orders of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas. Therefore, all government and private schools will remain closed till further orders," Additional Director of Education Rita Sharma was quoted by PTI in its report.

"However, online teaching-learning activities and the examinations for board classes would be conducted as per guidelines issued earlier," the official added.

The Delhi government announced the closure of schools and other educational institutions on November 13 in response to the city's poor air quality.

After over 19 months of shutdown due to COVID-19, schools returned for all courses on November 1.

(With inputs from Agencies)