Delhi Schools Resume In-Person Classes as Air Quality Improves

On Thursday, the Directorate of Education announced that all government and private schools in the capital city can return to regular classroom learning. This decision was made after the Supreme Court changed air quality rules to a less strict level, allowing for normal activities again.

The Supreme Court told the Commission for Air Quality Management that if the air quality index (AQI) goes above 350 or 400, they should quickly bring back tougher measures. The court will keep an eye on how these air quality rules are applied in the city.

The Directorate of Education’s notice stated that all types of schools—government, government-aided, and private—were previously told to switch to online classes starting from November 17. However, this order is no longer in effect. Now, all schools must conduct classes in-person immediately. School leaders must also inform students, teachers, and parents about this change.

On Thursday, the air quality in the capital improved, with an AQI recorded at 161, which is in the ‘moderate’ range. For context, an AQI from 0 to 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 is ‘poor’, 301 to 400 is ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 is ‘severe’.

Online classes were introduced on November 17 due to dangerously poor air quality, but high school students in Grades 10 and 12 were also moved online on November 18.

When air quality was rated at ‘severe plus’, some strict rules were set in place, like limiting diesel vehicles to those carrying important goods only. Other trucks and light commercial vehicles were prevented from entering the city unless they used cleaner fuel.

Similarly, offices in the Delhi NCR region were asked to run at half capacity, meaning half the employees worked in the office, while the others worked from home. Many businesses followed this advice.

Now that the situation has improved with the air quality, the restrictions have eased, but the use of coal and firewood, like in restaurants or open eateries, is still not allowed.