In response to Delhi’s escalating air pollution crisis, parents are making a fervent appeal for schools to revert to online classes. The city experienced a dense smog on Monday, with its air quality index (AQI) assessed as ‘very poor’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Forecasters predict a potential shift to the ‘severe’ category imminently, fueling parental fears for their children’s health and safety.
Parents report a surge in sickness among students, attributing it directly to the hazardous air quality that makes physical school attendance untenable. The Delhi Parents’ Association has communicated that the situation has become unsustainable, with children increasingly suffering from respiratory ailments. The association is actively campaigning for the cessation of physical classes until the AQI stabilizes at ‘moderate’ levels. They are also calling for outdoor school activities, including sports and excursions, to be temporarily suspended.
“The right to breathe clean air is non-negotiable, especially for children whose lungs are still developing,” a parent representative stated, advocating for a shift that prioritizes health over physical presence. Recommendations include the issuance of daily AQI-based health advisories by the Directorate of Education to safeguard students and their families. The lack of robust emergency health measures is also a significant concern raised by resident welfare groups, who criticize authorities for their apparent unpreparedness. They question the absence of defined medical emergency levels and mandated health interventions, including free treatment for pollution-related illnesses.
Monitoring data from the CPCB’s Sameer application reveals critical pollution levels across Delhi, with numerous areas recording AQI readings in the ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ ranges, painting a grim picture of the city’s air quality.