Delhi schools up to Class 5 may not reopen tomorrow as air quality remains ‘severe’

NEW DELHI: Delhi schools may not resume offline classes for Classes 1 to 5 tomorrow, December 27, as the air quality in the national capital remains ‘severe’. The air quality of the national capital was recorded in the 'severe' category for the sixth consecutive day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also said that the air quality in the state recorded 459 ‘severe’ on Sunday, December 26. Earlier in the day, he said that a "grand show on the life of Babasaheb Ambedkar has been postponed in light of rising Covid-19 cases".

In the backdrop of poor air quality in Delhi and rising Covid-19 cases, the possibility of Delhi schools reopening remains low. However, there is no official confirmation on this yet.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on December 17 said that “states can decide on resuming offline teaching for junior classes – for students of Class 5 and below – from December 27 and that such decisions must factor in the prevailing air quality and pollution levels on the AQI and the winter vacation schedule”.

Though the Delhi government gave permission for reopening schools for Class 6 and above from December 18, a few schools decided to resume offline classes for students after January 3, 2022.

*26 Dec*

AQI - 459 (401 - 500 - Severe)

PM10 - 561 (430 and above - Severe)

PM2.5 - 406 (250 and above - Severe) https://t.co/K90A0pCxAF

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 26, 2021

On December 17, the CAQM allowed Delhi schools, colleges and other educational institutions to reopen with immediate effect.

Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) on Saturday read 431 at 4 pm. An AQI between 401 and 500 is considered 'severe'. The city has recorded 23 'severe' air quality days this year so far. Of which, 11 was recorded in November.

Delhi school reopened after more than a year on November 1. Since then, the schools have been closed and reopened several times due to poor air pollution.