Delhi air pollution: City schools stop all early morning outdoor activities

The early morning zero hour for sports has been shifted to later in the day when the sun comes out. (Source: File Photo)

Deteriorating air quality in the capital has resulted in some top private schools suspending outdoor activities for students. Some others, however, maintained they will monitor the situation and take necessary precautions in the coming days.

On Saturday, Sanskriti School sent a message to parents, saying, “Please note that due to the high pollution levels/ unfavourable weather conditions in Delhi, the morning sports practice has been suspended for a few days…”
Amity International School, Mayur Vihar, too has suspended morning activities. “Keeping in mind rising pollution levels, we have stopped early morning activities. The early morning zero hour for sports has been shifted to later in the day when the sun comes out. We have also issued advisories to parents and children — especially to those suffering from asthma… We’ve also asked children to keep their bodies covered as much as possible and breathe through a wet handkerchief,” said Amity principal Priyanka Mehta.

Manohar Lal, principal of DPS Mathura Road, said, “We keep monitoring air pollution and don’t allow students to go out when it is high. As of now, we have restricted outdoor activities.”

Elaborating on her three-pronged plan to deal with pollution, Madhulika Sen, principal of Tagore International School, said, “We’ve stopped outdoor assemblies. Activities which junior school children earlier conducted outside — like aerobics, yoga and taekwondo — have all been shifted indoors. We’re also going to issue a circular to parents saying that students who wish to wear masks will be allowed to do so.”

Manika Sharma, principal of The Shri Ram School, said, “Last year, we postponed the Sports Day from November to February. That will be the case this year too. The soccer matches have also been postponed.”
However, schools like Springdales, DPS Vasant Kunj, Ahlcon International, Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, and Bal Bharti School, meanwhile, are yet to take steps.