Delhi and its neighboring regions, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, have seen schools shift to online classes as air quality plummets to alarming levels, spiking several times over acceptable limits. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching as high as 494 on Monday, officials have declared this scenario as the worst pollution crisis since 2019. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV has been invoked, promoting immediate action to safeguard public health.
The move to online education primarily affects all classes from Pre-School to Class 12, as authorities under the instruction of the local district magistrates responded swiftly to the dire air quality situation. Manish Kumar Verma, the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar, confirmed the closure of physical classes, ordering all schools to comply with the online learning protocol until at least November 23.
This swift action, intended to protect children from the hazardous environment, has left many parents grappling with added difficulties. Sumit Krishna, who has children attending classes online, expressed his struggles: "I have two kids; the elder one is in class 5 and the younger one is in class 2. The distractions and technical requirements lead to chaotic class schedules. It's tough to manage our work alongside their online classes."
Schools across all eight districts of western Uttar Pradesh within the National Capital Region (NCR) have also been compelled to shift to virtual schooling. The districts particularly affected include Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Bulandshahr, among others. Selva Kumari J, Divisional Commissioner of Meerut, stated, "All the schools have been directed to switch to the online medium until the air pollution levels improve. The suspension of physical classes can be extended based on weather conditions."
The government is also focusing on measures such as enforcing work-from-home policies. Gurugram's Deputy Commissioner issued advisories to retain at least 50% workforce operating from home to minimize exposure to the detrimental air quality and help ease traffic on the roads, addressing both employee health and congestion concerns.
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, called for concerted action, emphasizing the severity of the situation as more than just temporary discomfort. He mentioned the potential need for "artificial rain" to alleviate the pollution crisis, signifying the urgency felt by local authorities.
The rising pollution levels have prompted schools to reiterate the importance of continuous health monitoring amid the chaos. The Union Health Secretary has issued advisories urging states and union territories to bolster existing health systems. This includes enhancing awareness among those at higher risk from pollution exposure and establishing comprehensive action plans locally.
Several parents have reported significant challenges caused by transitioning to online learning. Some parents, juggling their jobs and their children’s educational needs, find it hard to help their kids keep up with the increased technology demands and keep their own work tasks on track. Many adults criticize the complexity of the situation citing insufficient guidance from schools during this sudden shift.
Shashi Tharoor, Congress leader, recently underscored the government’s long-standing negligence, asserting, "Delhi has been labeled the most polluted city worldwide, and it's unconscionable for the government to have ignored this crisis for years. Action needs to be taken now to preserve public safety and health."
While the authorities have stepped up measures to combat pollution, including banning tougher vehicles and enhancing mechanized cleaning efforts, challenges abound. For example, the focus remains on reducing dust, one of the many contributors to the disturbing air quality, as any potential overlaps with other pollution causes such as vehicular emissions and industrial activities are yet to be fully addressed.
This push to safeguard children's health through online learning brings with it lessons on the sustainability and viability of such measures moving forward. Schools and governments will need to juxtapose educational efficacy against environmental health to spur necessary changes.
And as the pollution haze looms over the NCR, every decision affects not just the air quality, but the lives of residents who are forced to navigate these troubling waters daily, making calls for enhanced policies to address air quality all the more pertinent.
