Parents demand permanent solution over school closures in Delhi due to air pollution

With Delhi schools being shut due to pollution yet again, several parents have said that virtual learning is not as effective as physical classes and urged the government to find a permanent solution.

While some parents rued the lack of availability of necessary equipment required for online classes, others suggested that the students must be informed in advance about the measures in store once the air quality index (AQI) starts to dip to avoid the abrupt shift to virtual learning.

''We have been neglected. The issue of pollution has persisted in Delhi for many years now and nothing has been done to resolve it. Online classes are not a solution because there are many students who lack the equipment necessary for online mode of learning,'' Ajit Mishra, the father of a class 2 student, told PTI.

A parent of a class 6 student at Kendriya



Vidyalaya in Delhi Cantonment, Raj Kumar Kanojia, said virtual learning is not equivalent to physical classes as, unlike regular school days, only one to two classes are held when they are shifted to the online mode.

''The important question is, are online classes conducted properly? Parents leave their phones at home and go to work and when they return, they realise that just one or two classes were held in the day,'' Kanojia told PTI.

''Pollution cannot be controlled by keeping children at home. The government must take concrete steps and reconsider its policies so that there are no unnecessary holidays or online classes,'' he added.

All schools in Delhi have been directed to suspend physical classes, except for classes 10 and 12, until November 10 in view of rising pollution levels, Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Monday.