The Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all heads of schools under its jurisdiction to tell parents to restrain their children from undertaking any outdoor activities till pollution condition persists.
The air quality in the Capital has been constantly hovering between “very severe” and “severe”.
In a circular, the DoE directed school heads to “sensitise parents of students of their respective schools about the worrisome air pollution situation prevailing in and across Delhi and further appeal them to restrain their children from undertaking outdoor activities till severe pollution condition persists”.
The circular goes on to say that outdoor activities would expose them to polluted conditions that could have long-term detrimental effects on their health.
The DoE said it was acting on orders received from Special Secretary (Environment)-cum-Member Secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Department of Environment, Government Delhi.
The air quality in the city has deteriorated due to cold temperatures and low winds that have made conditions unfavourable for the blowing away of pollutants.
‘Severe’ in a row
Last week, the air quality was in the “severe” category for four days in a row making it the second most polluted time of the year after Diwali.
Students were earlier too sensitised about the harmful effects of air pollution and the steps that they could take to minimise its impact on the health of Delhiites.