Delhi schools can reopen for students upto Class 5 from December 27: CAQM

NEW DELHI: Schools in Delhi can reopen for students upto Class 5 from December 27. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) allowed reopening of schools in the state after observing improvements in the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi from ‘Severe’ to ‘Very Poor’ category.

“State governments of NCR and GNCTD may take decision for resumption of physical classes, for students up to 5th standard, only w.e.f. December 27, 2021, duly considering the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the winter vacation schedule,” said an official circular from the directorate of education.

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The commission has allowed Delhi schools to resume physical classes for Class 6 and above from December 18, says a circular released by the directorate of education, Delhi.

The CAQM has directed the state governments of the National Capital Region (NCR) and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to reopen schools, colleges and educational institutions in a phased manner.

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The CAQM said the DCPCR had received a large number of representations which stated the necessity of reopening the schools for students. The arguments cited the mental health of the students, learning loss and the harmful repercussions of online classes. Arguments also stressed that online classes are not accessible for every student due to various reasons including network connectivity issues, lack of digital devices, etc.

The CAQM had on November 17 issued an order directing all public and private schools, colleges and educational institutions to remain closed until further orders. Since then, only online mode of education was allowed. But examinations and laboratory practicals were allowed to continue offline.

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Delhi schools had reopened on November 1 after remaining closed for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on November 13, the Delhi Government closed schools for a few days due to severe air pollution.

On November 17, the CAQM directed all educational institutions to remain closed. Delhi's deputy chief minister and education minister Manish Sisodia announced that schools will reopen from November 29. Soon after reopening on November 29, schools were closed again from December 2.