Primary schools in Delhi to remain closed due to Air Pollution

As Delhi reeled under “severe” pollution, the Delhi government on Friday announced that physical classes for primary grades in the national capital will remain shut from Saturday till further orders while outdoor activities will be curtailed for senior grades.

While parents breathed a sigh of relief, several schools and academicians expressed concern over learning losses due to the frequent closure of schools — earlier in view of the Covid pandemic and now because of deteriorating air



quality. Experts suggested that the government should rejig vacation schedule as pollution turns severe every winter.

“Primary classes will be closed from tomorrow and outdoor activities for classes above fifth standard will be suspended,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said at a press conference.

Earlier in the day, addressing a press conference, Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta had demanded closure of schools citing the ill-effects of “severe” air pollution.