Delhi schools to reopen for Class 6 from today
New Delhi: After being closed for nearly a month due to air pollution, physical classes in Delhi schools will resume for students in Class 6 and above on Saturday (December 18, 2021).
On Friday, the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjacent Areas (CAQM) approved the resumption of physical education classes in Delhi schools for grades 6 and up beginning December 18.
Classes, however, will be held in a hybrid format, with both physical and online classes.
“All Government, Government aided, unaided recognised, NDMC, MCDs, and Delhi Cantonment Board Schools will reopen on December 18 for classes 6 and above,” the Delhi Government announced.
Taking into account the submissions received and the improvement of Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) from ‘Severe’ to ‘Very Poor,’ the Commission today directed the State Governments of NCR and GNCTD to re-open schools, colleges, and educational institutions in a phased manner, according to a release from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
Notably, the Commission directed on November 16 that “all public and private schools, colleges, and educational institutions shall remain closed until further orders allowing only online mode of education are issued.”
On Friday, the CAQM reviewed the restrictions on the reopening of schools, colleges, and educational institutions.
The Commission also directed the NCR and GNCTD state governments to make a decision on the resumption of physical classes for students up to standard 5 on December 27, 2021, taking into account the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the winter vacation schedule.
On November 25, the Commission decided that “the NCR States and the GNCT of Delhi may take appropriate decisions for the resumption of physical classes in NCR schools, colleges, and educational institutions.” Wherever the State Governments / GNCTD choose to continue with online education, such schools/colleges/educational institutions will be permitted to open for the purpose.
On December 2, the Commission issued an order stating that “all Schools, Colleges, and Educational Institutions in the NCR shall remain closed, allowing only online mode of education, except for the purpose of conducting examinations and laboratory practicals, etc.”
The Commission previously informed the Supreme Court that a decision on the reopening of schools, colleges, and educational institutions would be made by December 17.
