Amidst slightly improved air quality, schools in Delhi are preparing for the potential resumption of physical classes following a recent Supreme Court suggestion to restart them. With parents expressing mixed feelings about this move, many are grappling with concerns over their children’s exposure to pollution while also worried about the educational gaps caused by prolonged remote learning.
WHAT ARE SCHOOLS DOING TO PREPARE FOR REOPENING?
In a bid to safeguard student health, schools are implementing a variety of comprehensive safety measures. Sudha Acharya, the Principal of ITL Public School in Dwarka, emphasized that the school has issued a detailed advisory advocating for mask-wearing, carpooling, and the rescheduling of numerous events to mitigate health risks associated with returning to in-person education.
“We’ve postponed all major events, including our annual and sports days, from November to February,” Acharya elaborated, highlighting the school’s commitment to ensuring student safety during this transitional phase.
Similarly, Indraprastha School’s Principal Rajesh Hassija outlined that indoor morning assemblies will be instituted, alongside the suspension of physical activities like yoga. “Masks are mandatory, and we’re minimizing outdoor activities to effectively curb exposure to pollutants,” he explained, reinforcing the stringent measures schools are undertaking.
In addition to these measures, some schools are adopting innovative strategies to enhance student well-being. Vividh Gupta, Principal of Bal Bhavan Public School in Mayur Vihar, mentioned, “We’ve advised full-sleeve uniforms and masks. Additionally, the campus will be sprinkled with water twice daily to minimize dust and other particulate matter.”
“To keep our younger students engaged and safe, they will be participating in indoor activities such as chess and painting during their free periods,” Gupta noted, highlighting the creativity being employed to navigate these challenges.
PARENTS FACE A TOUGH CHOICE
Amidst this uncertain landscape, parents find themselves divided regarding the prospect of reopening schools. Aprajita Gautam, president of the Delhi Parents’ Association, characterized the situation as a “no-win situation” for families.
She expressed, “Sending children to school risks exposure to pollution; keeping them home means they miss out on essential activities that foster their development.” To help bolster their children’s immunity during this critical period, some parents are turning to antioxidant-rich diets and advocating for heightened care, particularly for children who suffer from allergies.
SUPREME COURT’S ROLE IN THE DEBATE
The Supreme Court has emphasized the significant challenges associated with prolonged online learning, including inadequate infrastructure and the absence of mid-day meals for numerous students. As such, the Court has directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to evaluate the feasibility of resuming physical classes, while concurrently maintaining anti-pollution restrictions.
The Court has stated that it will only consider relaxing these measures in response to consistent improvements in air quality index (AQI) levels. Despite the air quality being recorded at a concerning 281 on Monday morning, categorizing it as “poor,” schools are gearing up to find the right balance between safeguarding health and promoting education as they await further updates on this critical matter.
(With PTI inputs)
Published On:
Nov 25, 2024
What specific health measures is ITL Public School implementing to ensure student safety during the transition back to in-person classes?
**Interview with Sudha Acharya, Principal of ITL Public School, Dwarka**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Ms. Acharya. As schools in Delhi are preparing to potentially reopen following the Supreme Court’s suggestion, can you share how ITL Public School is getting ready for this transition?
**Sudha Acharya:** Thank you for having me. At ITL Public School, we are taking a proactive approach to ensure our students’ safety as we consider resuming physical classes. We’ve issued a detailed advisory that emphasizes important health measures, such as mandatory mask-wearing and carpooling to reduce exposure to pollution.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a comprehensive strategy. I understand that you’ve also made some changes to your events schedule?
**Sudha Acharya:** Yes, we’ve decided to postpone all major events, including our annual functions and sports days, from November to February. This will help us focus on the immediate health and safety of our students during this transition period.
**Interviewer:** What particular measures are in place for daily activities, especially considering the air quality concerns?
**Sudha Acharya:** We’ve implemented several critical measures. For instance, indoor morning assemblies will replace outdoor gatherings to minimize exposure to pollutants. We’re also encouraging less physical activity outdoors, especially for younger students.
**Interviewer:** That’s reassuring to hear. With parents expressing mixed feelings about resuming in-person classes, what measures are you advising to help alleviate their concerns?
**Sudha Acharya:** We completely understand parents’ concerns regarding their children’s health. We’re not only emphasizing mask usage but also encouraging parents to make sure their children wear full-sleeve uniforms. Additionally, we’re sprinkling water across the campus twice daily to help settle dust and particulate matter, creating a cleaner environment for our students.
**Interviewer:** It seems like you’re prioritizing student well-being while also addressing educational needs. How do you plan to keep younger students engaged in this challenging environment?
**Sudha Acharya:** Keeping younger students engaged is crucial. We’re planning interactive sessions that can be held indoors, which will focus on fun activities that are safe while still promoting learning. We want to balance educational engagement with the necessary precautions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ms. Acharya, for sharing these insights. It’s evident that ITL Public School is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment as you navigate the challenges posed by air quality issues.
**Sudha Acharya:** Thank you for having me. We are hopeful that with these measures, we can support our students’ education and health effectively.
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### Additional Context
The conversation reflects the current status of schools in the Delhi-NCR region responding to air quality concerns, particularly as schools have been closed due to pollution, with authorities issuing safety advisories to protect students as they consider reopening [[1](https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-delhi-ncr-air-pollution-schools-likely-to-stay-closed-till-this-date-check-city-wise-update-3119056)].
