Delhi air pollution: All primary schools to be shut from tomorrow as AQI levels near 500

Delhi Air Pollution News: Primary schools in Delhi will remain closed from tomorrow onwards as air quality worsens in the national capital. Announcing the decision, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that schools will reopen only after air quality improves. The Chief Minister also said that outdoor sports activities above class 5 students in schools will also remain suspended.

"We're taking all steps to control the pollution situation. In lieu of that, we're shutting down all primary schools in Delhi from tomorrow... Also shutting down outdoor activities for all classes above class 5," the Chief Minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

Primary classes to be closed from Saturday in Delhi; contemplating on having odd even scheme: CM Kejriwal on anti-pollution curbs

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 4, 2022

He said that the government is contemplating bringing an odd-even scheme to improve the air quality in the national capital. 

Meanwhile, schools in Noida and Greater Noida have already been asked to hold online classes in view of the rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR. According to an order issued by the authority, all schools in Noida and Greater Noida will hold online classes till November 8. Outdoor activities like sports or meetings will stay completely banned in all schools, the order further stated. 

"All schools have been asked to move to online medium for teaching students up to Class 8. They have been asked to switch to the online mode for students of Class 9 to 12 also to the extent possible," Singh said.

"However, no outdoor activities like sports in schools are allowed till November 8," the DIOS told PTI.

Gautam Buddh Nagar has around 1,800 schools including higher education centres, spread across Noida and Greater Noida, as on date, the officer said. The air quality index on Thursday reached severe levels in Noida and Greater Noida, with thick smog engulfing parts of the district adjoining Delhi in western Uttar Pradesh.

With agency inputs