“Open Schools”: People take to Twitter urging Delhi government to start schools

NEW DELHI: Slamming Delhi government’s decision to keep schools in the state closed due to air pollution until further orders, people have started demanding the opening of schools on social media, citing learning loss of students. Schools in Delhi remained shut due to the pandemic since last year and had just started functioning completely.

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While some called the decision a scandal, others said that Delhi homes are equally risky for the students, therefore, schools should be opened now.

A Twitter user used the hashtag #openschools and said: “If air quality remains poor till January, will we keep schools shut ? How is children’s education always the last priority ? We need to use this low cases window to get kids into classrooms so they can make up the learning loss #OpenSchools, the hybrid model option available too."

If air quality remains poor till January, will we keep schools shut ? How is children’s education always the last priority ? We need to use this low cases window to get kids into classrooms so they can make up the learning lost #OpenSchools,the hybrid model option available too

— sonia singh (@soniandtv) November 22, 2021

Yamini Aiyar, Paisa Projects head at CPR, demanded the opening of schools and said: “YES! OPEN SCHOOLS NOW. Air pollution is no excuse. a) majority do not have air purifiers, indoor air pollution is an equal threat + they may benefit from being in class b) schools are operating at 50% capacity no reason to keep them closed if weddings, festivals & business.”

YES! OPEN SCHOOLS NOW. Air pollution is no excuse. a)majority do not have air purifiers, indoor air pollution is an equal threat + they may benefit from being in class b) schools are operating at 50% capacity no reason to keep them closed if weddings, festivals & business https://t.co/nDn2WmUVIn

— Yamini Aiyar (@AiyarYamini) November 22, 2021

Vimala Ramachandran, an educationist, agreed with Aiyar on the opening of schools in the national capital.

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Chiki Sarkar, head of Juggernaut Books, called the government’s decision a scandal and demanded the schools to open.

This really is a scandal https://t.co/Y0NmIjNSRC

— Chiki Sarkar (@Chikisarkar) November 22, 2021

A lawyer argued in a tweet: “Is there any evidence that the air in Delhi schools is far more dangerous than Delhi homes? So what is the basis for shutting down schools? Protection during travel? We have already lost a few years of schooling due to covid, let's make logical decisions.”

Is there any evidence that the air in Delhi schools is far more dangerous than Delhi homes?

So what is the basis for shutting down schools? Protection during travel? We have already lost a few years of schooling due to covid, let's make logical decisions

— K(?) (@monteskw) November 22, 2021

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai today said the government will take a call on reopening of schools, colleges on November 24 as air quality in Delhi is gradually improving. Delhi schools have been closed till further orders after the Supreme Court termed the air pollution in Delhi an "emergency" situation.

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The Delhi Government had closed schools for a week from November 13 due to pollution. They were to remain closed from November 15 to 20.

Schools were shut again until further notice, this time for the dangerous levels of air pollution in and around Delhi. Educational institutions had reopened for all classes only on November 1 after nearly 20 months of closure.