Delhi schools closing again: Delhi government’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on 2 December that all schools in Delhi will be shut from 3 December onwards. This is applicable till further orders. The step has been taken keeping in view the high pollution levels in the capital city.
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It was on November 29 that schools had reopened for all classes. They had been shut since November 13 owing to surging levels of air pollution in Delhi after Diwali.
“We had reopened schools considering the forecast that air quality would improve,” Rai said, according to NDTV. “However, the air pollution levels have increased again and we have decided to shut schools from Friday till further orders.”
It has also been clarified that Board exams will continue as scheduled. However, teaching-learning activities will be conducted online as per the latest order.
The decision was taken after India's apex body questioned why Delhi schools were open despite the high levels of pollution. According to the court, reopening schools was a bad decision because adults were working from home whereas children were forced to go to school.
The Apex Court has granted 24 hours deadline to the Centre and Delhi government to come up with a serious plan for implementation of pollution control measures. Industrial and vehicular pollution have been identified as the main causes behind the deteriorating air quality.
Dipping air quality of Delhi
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Delhi's air quality on 2 December is in the severe category. The AQI was 419 in the morning. According to Ministry of Earth Science's air quality monitor ‘SAFAR’, the air quality will improve from Friday onwards owing to better wind speed.
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