Concerns over Delhi’s rapidly worsening air quality have led parents’ groups to call for an immediate switch to online education for all schools. A thick layer of smog covered the city on Monday, pushing the air quality index (AQI) into the ‘very poor’ category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Health experts have issued warnings that the situation could deteriorate further, potentially reaching the ‘severe’ level by Tuesday.
Parents are expressing deep anxiety about the health impacts on their children, reporting an increase in illnesses linked to the toxic air. Many feel that physical attendance at school is no longer safe. The Delhi Parents’ Association highlighted that children are suffering from coughs and respiratory issues, and some are even hesitant to wear masks, underscoring the severity of the pollution.
A strong plea has been made to suspend physical classes until the air quality consistently improves to ‘moderate’ levels. This includes a call for a temporary halt to all outdoor school events such as sports and assemblies. The Directorate of Education is urged to provide daily health advisories informed by the AQI, helping families and educational institutions navigate the hazardous conditions. Prioritizing children’s lung development and their right to clean air is paramount, parents argue.
Federations of resident welfare associations are also pointing fingers at authorities for their lack of preparedness. They are questioning the absence of specific emergency protocols for pollution levels exceeding 500 AQI and the lack of mandated health measures. The need for free basic medical treatment for pollution-affected individuals at private hospitals is also being raised. CPCB data paints a stark picture, with several Delhi localities registering alarming AQI levels, some falling within the ‘severe’ bracket, while the majority face ‘very poor’ air.
