In response to the ongoing air pollution crisis in the national capital, the Delhi government has taken decisive action to protect the health and well-being of students and staff. Today, the government announced the rescheduling of the December winter break for all schools in Delhi. The revised winter break will now take place from November 9 to November 18, 2023.
The decision to reschedule the winter break comes as Delhi and its suburbs grapple with deteriorating air quality, with pollution levels persisting in the ‘severe’ category. Initially, holidays were scheduled from November 3 to November 10; however, the worsening air quality necessitated a change in the academic calendar.
The air quality in Delhi reached alarming levels on Wednesday morning, with smoke originating from post-harvest paddy straw burning in neighboring states contributing significantly to the city’s air pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi stood at 421, showing a worsening trend from 395 at 4 pm on the previous day.
Of particular concern is the concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that has the potential to penetrate deep into the respiratory system, leading to severe health issues. PM2.5 levels exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter by seven to eight times in the capital. More alarmingly, these levels were 30 to 40 times higher than the safe limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Delhi government is committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens, especially children and educational staff, during this challenging period of extreme air pollution. The rescheduled winter break aims to minimize exposure to hazardous air quality and prioritize the health and safety of students.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to keep a close eye on updates from their respective schools and educational institutions for specific instructions related to this rescheduling of the winter break. The government will continue to monitor air quality levels closely and take appropriate actions to address the ongoing air pollution crisis.
