Schools in Tamil Nadu will remain closed in five districts due to heavy downpours.
Delhi School Closed Live: Schools in TN to remain closed in 5 districts today after heavy downpours
School Closed News Updates: Schools in Delhi NCR closed amid poor AQI, classes move to online (Express photo by Abhinav Saha/ representative)Delhi School Closure, Air Pollution : With Delhi experiencing the worst air pollution levels since 2019, marked by a 24-hour AQI of 494 on Monday, authorities in Delhi and the NCR region, including Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad, have taken swift action. Schools have been closed and shifted to online classes for all students up to Class 12.
The decision to suspend all schools in Noida till Class 12 came as Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was invoked in the National Capital Region, which includes the two western Uttar Pradesh districts.
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“In view of this, all schools of the District Gautam Buddh Nagar are directed to adhere to action enlisted under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan. Accordingly, it is directed that all schools shall discontinue physical classes from Pre-School to Class 12 till November 23 and conduct classes in online mode only,” District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma said in an order.
Live Updates
Delhi School Closed Live: DU fake notice on winter break
The University of Delhi (DU) has refuted a circulation about fake winter holiday notice. The fake notice said that winter break between November 19 and 27 is announced for the university and its colleges.
“In order to tide over the prevailing environmental pollution caused by Severe Air Quality and implementation of GRAP-IV measures in Delhi, it has been decided to declare November 19 to November 27 as winter break for the university and its colleges,” read the fake circular with a forged signature of the registrar.
It further added: “All the prescheduled examinations and interviews will be held without any change in schedule.”
However, rejecting the claim, Delhi University in a statement on X (former Twitter) said: “Fake notice”.
Delhi School Closed Live: WFH to Delhi govt employees
To reduce pollution, Delhi government has allowed work from home in government offices. As part of this, 50 per cent employees will work from home. A meeting will be held with the officials at 1 pm today in the Secretariat for the implementation.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsप्रदुषण कम करने के लिए दिल्ली सरकार ने सरकारी दफ़्तरो में वर्क फ्रॉम होम का लिया निर्णय
— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) November 20, 2024
50% कर्मचारी करेंगे घर से काम
इसके इम्पलिमेंटेशन के लिए सचिवालय में आज दोपहर 1 बजे अधिकारियों के साथ होगी बैठक
Delhi School Closed Live: Working parents share their discomforts over schools going online
Working parents are also having to push ahead their work deadlines or ask for extensions due to the sudden shift from offline to online classes.
"My child is 4-years-old and needs the company of at least one parent at home to join online classes. It doesn't allow me to concentrate on work and official assignments, resulting in late submissions on work," said Vinit Kumar, who works from home as a senior developer at Merkel.
Parents like Kumar, who work from home, also manage their daily official tasks with some household chores. This has been causing extra stress to them, which is ultimately resulting in less fun time with their kids.
Delhi School Closed Live: ‘Double shift for us’: As Delhi-NCR schools switch to online mode, working parents face multiple challenges
Authorities in Delhi and the NCR region, including Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad on Monday night declared complete closure of offline classes for all schools (government and private) due to the worst air pollution levels. While all schools have shifted to online classes, working parents are finding it difficult to strike a balance.
“I have two kids; the elder one is in class 5 and the younger one is in class 2. In addition to more gadgets requirements, the younger child needs support to join and learn from online classes. This requires complete attention and engagement. Moreover, sitting in a small house where two online classes are going on, completing official assignments becomes difficult. The situation gets worse when the class teacher assigns some task or activity. They collectively make the day tiring and disturb the next day schedule as well,” said Sumit Krishna, Project manager at ITC Infotech.
Delhi School Closed Live: 50 per cent WFH announced for Gurugram private institutions & corporate offices
All private institutions and corporate offices in Gurugram are advised to implement 50 per cent work-from-home policy starting November 20 until further notice, read the notification from the Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram. It further read that the step is crucial in combating "Severe+" air quality levels and supporting the GRAP measures to improve air quality in the region.
All schools in UP's NCR districts go online for classes as air pollution increases
Schools in all eight districts of western Uttar Pradesh which are part of the National Capital Region (NCR) have been ordered to switch to online mode of classes in view of air pollution, officials said Tuesday.
The districts where physical classes have been suspended are Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, and Hapur (all six part of the Meerut Division) besides Muzaffarnagar and Shamli.
"All the schools in these districts have been directed by their administrations to switch to the online medium for classes because of the air pollution levels till further orders," Divisional Commissioner (Meerut) Selva Kumari.
"The suspension of physical classes can be extended depending on the weather conditions," the officer said.
She said the guidelines of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are also being implemented across the division.
The GRAP is a comprehensive plan that outlines specific actions to be taken at different levels of air pollution, ranging from moderate to severe.--PTI
Delhi School Closed Live: All schools in UP's NCR districts go online for classes as air pollution increases
Schools in all eight districts of western Uttar Pradesh which are part of the National Capital Region (NCR) have been ordered to switch to online mode of classes in view of air pollution, officials said Tuesday. The districts where physical classes have been suspended are Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, and Hapur (all six part of the Meerut Division) besides Muzaffarnagar and Shamli.
The NCR comprises Delhi, 14 districts of Haryana, two districts of Rajasthan and eight of Uttar Pradesh. In UP it spans an area of 14,826 sq kilometres.
"All the schools in these districts have been directed by their administrations to switch to the online medium for classes because of the air pollution levels till further orders," Divisional Commissioner (Meerut) Selva Kumari J told PTI."The suspension of physical classes can be extended depending on the weather conditions," the officer said. She said the guidelines of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are also being implemented across the division.
-PTI
Delhi School Closed Live: Call on work-from-home, odd-even measures to be taken soon, says Gopal Rai
On the possibility of implementing work-from-home measures, Rai stated, “We will decide on this soon." The minister added that the government has already imposed significant restrictions on vehicles under GRAP-IV. “We are analyzing the impact of these measures. If the analysis shows a positive outcome, we will take further decisions accordingly,” he said.
Calling the current situation a medical emergency, Rai emphasised the need for collective action. “This is a time of medical emergency, and we all need to work together to address the situation,” he said.
--PTI
Delhi School Closed Live: US university’s education fair in Delhi rescheduled due to pollution
The US University Education Fair scheduled for November 21 in Delhi has been rescheduled due to poor air quality in the city. The US Department of State, as per a press release, supports the education fair to guide Indian students about scholarships, admissions, and other aspects. The event was scheduled at the America Center in New Delhi.
Delhi School Closed Live: Delhi Environment minister writes letter to union minister Bhupendra Yadav to conduct cloud seeding
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote a letter to the Union Minister of Environment Bhupendra Yadav to convene an emergency meeting with Delhi Govt, IIT Kanpur and all other central Government Departments/agencies like DGCA, MHA, Ministry of Defence etc. involved in issuing NOC/clearance to conduct cloud seeding in Delhi as an emergency measure.
Delhi School Closed Live: North India in 'grip of medical emergency,' says Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai
The Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai spoke with news agency ANI where he said that the entire north India is in the grip of medical emergency. He also called for artificial rain as an emergency need for the city. He added that they have closed schools classes 10 and 12 also.
"All trucks, diesel buses coming from outside have been banned. Schools have been closed for the 10th and 12th as well. Thirdly, timings have been staggered for offices. About working from home, we are also working on that. A decision will be taken soon. We are seeking an emergency meeting with the Union Environment Minister so that we can take all actions on the ground," said Rai.
Delhi School Closed Live: NDMC using mechanised sweeping, anti smog machines to reduce pollution
Vice chairman of NDMC, Kuljeet Singh Chahal spoke with news agency ANI that they are using mechanised sweeping to reduce dust from the roads.
"We are conducting mechanised sweeping to reduce dust from the roads which will help in reducing pollution. We are also using anti-smog machines and sprinklers. The people of NDMC are also visiting construction sites to stop the work," said Chahal.
Delhi School Closed Live: Ghaziabad, Noida schools shift online
Ghaziabad and Noida administration ordered the suspension of physical classes till Class 12 due to rising air pollution. Schools are ordered to continue online.
Delhi School Closed Live: Delhi Zoo tackles winter pollution with water sprinklers and special diet for animals
Special measures, including the use of water sprinklers, have been implemented at the Delhi Zoo to combat air pollution and ensure that wild animals are not adversely affected.
--PTI
Delhi School Closed Live: Union Health Secretary issues advisory as air quality worsens, SC enforces GRAP stage IV in Delhi NCR
The Union Health Secretary issued an updated advisory on Monday to states and union territories regarding air pollution.
The advisory includes recommendations for states and UTs to strengthen existing health systems and raise awareness among vulnerable groups and at-risk occupations. The advisory suggests developing detailed action plans at the district and city levels to address climate change's health impacts, including strategies to combat air pollution. It also emphasises expanding the network of sentinel hospitals to monitor air pollution-related illnesses within each state or union territory for effective response and monitoring.
-- PTI
Delhi School Closed Live: "Delhi barely livable": Shashi Tharoor criticises Centre over Delhi air pollution
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticised the central government over the severe air pollution in the national capital and said that Delhi is the most polluted city in the world, making it nearly uninhabitable from November to January and barely liveable throughout the rest of the year.
Shashi Tharoor claimed that it was "unconscionable" that the government had witnessed the ongoing air pollution crisis in Delhi for years without taking adequate action.
Sharing a list of 'Most Polluted Cities' in their ranking, Shashi Tharoor posted on X, "Delhi is officially the most polluted city in the world, 4x Hazardous levels and nearly five times as bad as the second most polluted city, Dhaka. It is unconscionable that our government has been witnessing this nightmare for years and does nothing about it."
--PTI
Delhi School Closed Live: Top court took cognizance of pollution
On Monday, the top court took note of the fact that the Air Quality Index (AQI) entered into the 'severe plus' category and directed all Delhi-NCR states to immediately set up teams to strictly enforce anti-pollution GRAP 4 restrictions, making it clear that the curbs will continue till further orders.
Delhi School Closed Live: CJI says judges asked to allow virtual hearings wherever possible
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday said all judges have been asked to allow virtual hearings wherever possible in view of the severe pollution levels in the national capital region. As soon as the bench comprising the CJI and Justice Sanjay Kumar assembled, lawyers, including Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal, referred to the worsening pollution in Delhi and NCR and sought immediate measures to deal with it. “We have told all the judges to allow virtual hearings wherever possible,” the CJI said. “Pollution is getting out of control,” Sibal said.
--PTI
Delhi School Closed Live: Faridabad schools closure order released!
The Faridabad Deputy Commissioner has issued an order asking physical classes till Class 12 in all schools in the district to be suspended and moved online till November 23 or until further orders.
Delhi School Closed Live: ‘Are board exams more important than health?’: Class 10, 12 students furious over Delhi govt order on school closure
While parents are worried about the health of their children, teachers believe that adding screen time will not help students’ mental or physical health. Jassica Ahuja, a primary school teacher argued that “the screen time of students is already too much, online classes will worsen the condition. Also, not all families have multiple ready devices. Some households may have only one available device but two children who would need to attend online classes. What will they do in such a situation? There will also be working parents who will have to go to the office while their kids stay at home,” Jassica, who is also a mother of two, added.
Read the report: Class 10, 12 students furious over Delhi govt order on school closure
Delhi School Closed Live: Jamia Millia Islamia's school section shifts online
JMI has discontinued physical classes till Class 11 and shifted to online mode. The order to resume the physical classes will be released later. Exceptions are only made for Classes 10 and 12.
Delhi School Closed Live: Jamia Millia Islamia follows the trail
Jamia Millia Islamia has also shifted to an online mode of education till November 23 for the larger interest of students and the university. Regular classes in physical mode will be continued from November 25. The schedule of the examination and interview remains unchanged.
Delhi School Closed Live: AUD suspends all physical classes, shifts to online
In light of the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and in the National Capital Region (NCR), which has reached alarmingly high levels, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) has decided to shift all classes to online mode to ensure the safety and well-being of its students and faculty. Effective from 19th November 2024 and until further notice, all academic activities, including lectures and tutorials will be conducted online, an official statement issued in this regard said.
Delhi School Closed Live: DU shifts to online
DU has also announced conducting classes in online mode till November 23, 2024 owing to the alarming high Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi. The university further said that the regular classes will resume on November 25, 2024.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsNotification - Classes in online mode till 23.11.2024 pic.twitter.com/A0x4fWSC4K
— University of Delhi (@UnivofDelhi) November 18, 2024
Schools and colleges in Delhi NCR ordered shut amid poor AQI (representative image/ file)
Chief Minister Atishi announced on Monday night that physical classes in Delhi schools are suspended for all including students in classes 10 and 12. Classes will be shifted online, she added.
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