Delhi-NCR: Physical classes for Class 6 onwards, colleges can resume now, says air quality panel

🔴 Physical classes for students up to class 5 can begin from December 27, the CAQM said in a press release.

In 2016, Madhya Pradesh became the first state in the country to set up happiness department. File.

Schools in Delhi will open for classes VI onwards from Saturday, with the Delhi government issuing an order shortly after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) advised it to take an immediate decision to this effect. However, they will continue to remain closed for students of primary grades.

The CAQM had Friday advised the Delhi government as well as state governments in NCR to take an immediate decision to resume classes. It had said in a communication that physical classes for students from class 6 onwards and also colleges can reopen with immediate effect. Skill development and training institutes, and libraries, can also reopen immediately.

Directing the state governments to follow a phased approach while opening schools and other educational institutions, it directed them to take a decision to resume physical classes for students up to class 5 from December 27, after duly considering the air quality index and the winter vacation schedule.

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Soon after this communication, the Delhi government’s Directorate of Education issued an order that “all the government, government-aided, unaided recognised, NDMC, MCDs and Delhi Government Cantonment Board schools will reopen from 18.12.2021 onwards for class VI onwards”.

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A large number of representations were received by the commission arguing the “compelling necessity” to open schools and educational institutions with immediate effect, the CAQM said in its communication. These arguments said that children have been out of school for about two years due to the pandemic, leading to frustration among them and serious adverse effects on their studies. It was also highlighted that there have been difficulties in accessing online classes due to connectivity issues.

The decision was made considering these submissions made to the CAQM, along with an improvement in air quality from the ‘severe’ category to the ‘very poor’ category, the communication said.

The Supreme Court had directed the CAQM to consider requests received for easing the restrictions imposed on account of bad air quality.

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The Delhi government had shut schools from November 15 on account of deteriorating air quality last month. On November 25, the CAQM said in an order Delhi and NCR states may take appropriate decisions to resume physical classes in schools and colleges. Schools were briefly reopened on November 29 and then closed again.

The Delhi government had written to the CAQM earlier this week on behalf of the Education Department, suggesting that schools for students from class VI onwards, colleges and coaching institutes be opened immediately.

The Delhi University, which has under it around 80 colleges, is yet to open its doors to students, citing the Covid protocol.

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