The Commission for Air Quality Management has allowed the reopening of schools in Delhi-NCR in a phased manner. The decision was announced on Friday, a day after the commission submitted its affidavit on its action against pollution to the Supreme Court. After getting the go-ahead from the commission, the Delhi government announced that physical classes for class 6 onwards will resume from December 18.
With the pollution level gradually coming under control from what it was when the Supreme Court termed the situation as an emergency, several restrictions have been allowed by the commission over the past week.
“The representations put forth by various project proponents and associations in the building and construction/ demolition sector, as also by the association of schools/educational institutions are under active examination and consideration by the commission and a decision on these would also be taken soon on or before December 17, based on the impact of the relaxations given above,” the CAQM’s affidavit stated.
Physical classes in Delhi schools were suspended for the most part of November because of pollution. After the Delhi government decided to resume classes from November 29, the Supreme Court took note that while the government allowed work-from-home for office-goers, it reopened schools exposing children to the hazards of pollution.
After being rapped by the apex court, the Delhi government again suspended physical classes on December 2. The commission expanded the order and asked all schools in the NCR to suspend physical classes. The Supreme Court, however, clarified that it did not ask for shutting schools; it merely asked for the justification for reopening schools.
