With schools reopening in Delhi, here’s what parents need to know

Schools all over Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas have been given the green light by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reopen for class 6 and above. Prior to this, the Delhi Education Department had sent two proposals to the Environment Ministry on December 13 considering the reopening of schools. While the first one was for reopening schools for classes 6 and above imminently, the second one was for getting primary school students back to school from December 20.  

Schools and educational institutes around the capital remained shut for a while due to health and safety concerns regarding increasing air pollution levels in the state. Following CAQM’s decision, the Delhi government directed this reopening in a phased manner. The government was advised to take immediate decision for doing the same. This move was welcomed by parents and students alike who were bearing the brunt of the monotony triggered by online classes. Here are some important points parents need to know about this decision.  

How will the reopening be conducted? 
With the aim for slowly resuming all physical classes, the CAQM has emphasised the reopening in a phased manner to ensure smooth transition. The first phase enables only students of Class 6 and above to return to schools. Primary schools still remain shut, and will be reopened at a later date as deemed suitable by the CAQM and the state government. 

Is the reopening restricted only to schools? 
Along with schools, all other designated learning institutes in the capital city (for students of Class 6 and above) can conduct physical classes with effect immediately. These include all government and private schools, colleges, educational institutions, universities, skill development and training institutes, other similar training institutes, libraries, etc.  

What about primary and middle schools? 
According to an official government statement, primary and middle schools (up till Class 5) have been scheduled to reopen in the second phase from December 27. However, this decision is not yet certain. The resumption of physical classes for this phase will depend upon the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the state at that point. The winter break dates will also be considered in the making of this decision. According to Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the decision to reopen schools for the younger age group, in all probability, will be taken after the winter break in the new year.