Delhi Schools Cancel Assemblies as AQI Slips to Severe, Here's When Schools will be Closed

As Diwali nears, Delhi pollution is rising due to stubble burning, motor vehicle emissions and other factors. The Air Quality Index (AQI) falls in the "very poor" category. At 6 am today, the average AQI is recorded at 264, almost 90 points down from yesterday's AQI. Several schools in Delhi have cancelled the school assemblies due to rising pollution and hazardous air quality. Parents are also expressing concerns regarding their children's health.Last year also, Delhi NCR governments had to announce school holidays due to the poor air quality. However, schools switch to online classes to cover syllabus and prepare students for exams.

Delhi Pollution School HolidayIn 2023, Delhi government announced school holiday for primary classes from November 3 as GRAP 4 and subsequently GRAP 4 were implemented. This year, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered the implementation of Stage-2 emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from October 21 as the AQI was recorded between 300-400. If the similar situation continues, CAQM will implement GRAP stage 3 and 4. The government will announce school holiday or offline classes after implementation of GRAP 3 and 4. What is Air Quality Index (AQI)Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for communicating about outdoor air quality and health. The AQI includes six color-coded categories, the higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality.