Delhi schools will reopen for physical courses Wednesday after being closed earlier this month owing to rising air pollution in the city. The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas has permitted a phased resumption of physical teaching-learning activities following an improvement in air quality in the region. Schools (grades 6 and up) and other educational institutions were allowed to reopen in the first phase.
"From December 18 for classes 6 onwards, all govt, govt aided, unaided recognised, NDMC, MCDs, and Delhi Cantonment Board Schools shall reopen," the commission said.
"State governments of NCR and GNCTD may decide to resume physical classes for pupils up to V standard only w.e.f. December 27, 2O21, appropriately considering the Air Quality Index IAQII and the winter holiday programme," it stated.
Despite major improvements, Delhi's air quality remains in the'very poor' category, according to statistics from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
Resumption of physical teaching-learning activities is applicable in all government and private schools (Class 6 onwards) of the national capital, colleges, educational institutions, skill development and training institutes, other training institutes and libraries.
The CAQM said it had received a large number of representations highlighting the necessity of reopening the schools for students.
The arguments prominently cited the mental health of the students and the harmful repercussions of online classes.
Arguments also stated that online classes are not accessible for every student due several reasons including connectivity issues, it added.