The Supreme Court of India has advised that schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) should resume operations. The court urges the schools to reopen despite the on-going high levels of air pollution. The court has also emphasized three critical issues that need to be addressed. Furthermore the court gave a warning saying that keeping students at home will not resolve them. However, the court has left the final decision on reopening schools with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). This includes the continuation of the ban on physical classes for students in Classes 10 and 12.
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The Judges said that many students lack air purifiers at home. Hence this does not makes any such difference between attending school and staying at home. Furthermore, the court also highlighted the challenges faced by those students who do not have a proper access to online education. Thus this risks their academic progress and such students will fall down if virtual classes persist.
Read More: Toxic Air, Rising Health Risks: Every Delhi-NCR Family Affected by Pollution, Survey Reports
Apart from air-purifiers and online classes. The Supreme Court also highlighted on the important fact of Mid-day meals. The impact of school closures also causes problems for the mid-day meals. As both schools and anganwadis remain shut, hence students can receive their daily mid-day meals. The court remarked in an order saying, “Let the commission take a decision at the earliest, even without a copy of the order. We expect a decision to be made by today or tomorrow morning.” Thus for these reasons, the court passed the orders saying, “Due to the implementation of GRAP 4 rules, many sections of society have been adversely affected.”
The judges further said, “Several section of society adversely affected due to GRAP IV (rules) and the commission (CAQM) has all the powers under the act to issue directions to various authorities to ensure that persons in category in labourers and daily wagers do not suffer. Thus we direct commission to take several mitigating measures under Section 12 of the Act”
The top court also said, “A chart on the Air Quality Index in the NCR region has been submitted and it shows AQI from Nov 20 to 23 ranges from 300 to 419. We direct commission to place the updated data on next date so that court can take steps on Grade 4 measures.”
As the situation evolves, the court’s intervention highlights. Hence the delicate balance ensures both public health and also maintains educational continuity for students in Delhi.
