Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad Schools Shut for ALL Classes including 10th, 12th amid Severe Air Pollution

Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad Schools Closed for all Classes including Class 10, 12. This decision follows the government’s previous move to suspend physical classes for all students except those in classes X and XII, due to alarming levels of air pollution.

Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad Schools Closed for all Classes including Class 10, 12: In response to the severe air pollution gripping the city, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced on Monday that in-person classes for all students in the city will be suspended until further notice. This decision follows the government’s previous move to suspend physical classes for all students except those in classes X and XII, due to alarming levels of air pollution. Going by the latest announcement, schools have been directed to conduct online classes for Class 10, 12 students as well.

Delhi’s Air Quality Reaches ‘Severe Plus’ Levels

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has surged past the 450 mark, crossing the SEVERE+ category, prompting authorities to take swift action to protect public health. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of emergency measures for controlling pollution levels in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.

The CPCB bulletin on Monday confirmed that the AQI recorded in Delhi on this day surpassed the earlier ‘severe plus’ AQI of 497, which had been recorded on November 6, 2016, and matched the reading of November 13, 2019. The city saw poor visibility and grey conditions throughout the day, contributing to a hazardous environment for its residents.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s Announcement

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Chief Minister Atishi confirmed that physical classes for class X and XII students would also be suspended, joining the decision made earlier for students in other grades. "From tomorrow, physical classes shall be suspended for classes X and XII as well, and all studies will be shifted to online mode,” Atishi wrote.

Following this announcement, the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued an official order directing all schools—including government, government-aided, and private recognized institutions—to cease in-person classes and switch to online learning. The order applies to all students across all grades until further notice.

Noida, Ghaziabad Schools Follow Suit

In addition to Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida administrators have also ordered the suspension of physical classes for all students up to Class 12, with studies continuing online. The decision was made in alignment with the Graded Response Action Plan after pollution levels continued to rise sharply. Officials in Gautam Buddha Nagar have ordered schools to transition to online classes until November 23, 2024, in line with Stage IV GRAP measures.

Record-Breaking AQI Levels

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi on November 17 surged to an alarming 485 by 9am on Monday, reaching severe plus levels. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that fifteen of Delhi’s 36 air monitoring stations recorded AQI levels of 500, the highest possible reading, while others recorded similarly extreme levels.

The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 16.2 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature fell to 23.5 degrees Celsius, marking the season’s lowest temperature thus far. These conditions, combined with high levels of pollution, have made it challenging for residents, particularly children and the elderly, to safely carry out daily activities outdoors.

Outlook for Delhi’s Air Quality

The Air Quality Early Warning System from the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has indicated that Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain ‘severe’ until November 21, with AQI levels likely staying above 400. There is uncertainty about whether AQI will reach severe plus levels, which would exceed 450, but the forecast suggests that conditions may worsen further before improving.

Health and Safety Concerns

The spike in air pollution levels poses a serious health risk to the residents of Delhi, especially for students who would normally be attending classes in person. The move to online classes aims to minimize exposure to harmful pollutants, such as PM2.5 and PM10 particles, which have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

With schools now shifting to virtual learning platforms, students will continue their studies in a safe environment away from the toxic air outdoors. However, experts continue to stress the importance of long-term solutions to improve the city’s air quality, especially during the winter months when pollution tends to spike.

As Delhi, NCR battles a severe air quality crisis, the decision to suspend physical classes for all students across the city reflects the urgency of the situation. With AQI levels expected to remain dangerously high for the next few days, online education has become a necessary step in ensuring the safety and health of students and residents. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with further measures likely to be implemented if pollution levels do not improve in the coming days.

Read More:

• Supreme Court Orders Closure of Schools, Full GRAP Stage 4 Implementation Amid Severe Pollution in Delhi-NCR