Delhi government announces early winter break in schools from November 9-18 due to air pollution

Delhi School Winter Break: With no respite from air pollution in the National Capital for over a week, the Delhi government on Wednesday (November 9, 2023) announced an early winter break from November 9-18. 

In a letter, dated November 8, written by Education Director, Delhi government, Himanshu Gupta, to the Capital's all government, aided and private schools, it was mentioned that all the schools should immediately declare the winter break scheduled for December-January in Delhi schools.  

Delhi government announces early winter break in schools from 9th to 18th November amid severe air pollution in the national capital pic.twitter.com/g9TDdHouot

— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2023

"In the wake of implementation of GRAP-IV measures due to Severe + Air Quality prevailing in Delhi and seeing that no respite from such adverse weather conditions in near future is predicted by the IMD, the winter break for the session 2023-24 is ordered to be preponed so that schools can be totally closed and both children and teachers can stay at home," the letter read. 

In the letter, the director asks the heads of schools to convey this information to parents immediately.

The letter doesn't say whether there will be more break during harsh winters in December and January.

"Further orders in r/o. the remaining portion of Winter Break will be issued in due course of time," reads the letter.

The Delhi government last week closed schools due to poor air quality. Though some of the schools switched to video online classes, the majority of schools had no option but to shut schools, resulting in wastage of students' time.