NEW DELHI: The Haryana government has announced the temporary closure of schools for students up to Class 5 due to escalating pollution levels.
In a letter to all District Deputy Commissioners, the Directorate of School Education highlighted the severe air quality index (AQI) in Delhi and surrounding areas. The letter emphasized the need to prioritize students’ health and safety by shifting to online classes for both government and private schools.
“I have been directed to inform you that the Government has decided that the concerned Deputy Commissioners shall assess the prevailing situation (as per the GRAP) in view of the severe AQI levels in Delhi and surrounding regions. They may discontinue physical classes and issue necessary directions for holding online classes for students up to Class 5. Separate assessments for rural and urban areas of the districts should be carried out,” the letter stated.
This directive follows Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s decision to close all primary schools and transition to online classes until further notice. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has instructed government, private, and municipal schools, including those under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), to suspend offline classes for these students.
The move aims to safeguard children’s health amid deteriorating air quality in the region.
