Gurgaon: The district administration on Sunday extended its order to suspend all in-person classes in schools till Nov 25, Monday, because of little improvement in air quality in the region.
The order, applicable for all private and govt run schools in the city, follows a notice from the directorate of secondary education, which asked deputy commissioners and district magistrates to take a call on reopening schools based on air quality index (AQI).
The city recorded two ‘severe' air days this month, and forecasts say pollution is here to stay till weather conditions improve.
"As the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in almost all urban and rural parts of district Gurgaon is in severe category, therefore, in the interest of the health and safety of the children, it has been decided that in continuation of order no. 5483-86 dated 18.11.2024 of this office, all physical classes for students up to Class 12th will remain discontinued till 25.11.2024 in all areas (urban as well as rural) of district Gurgaon. Online classes will be conducted in lieu of physical classes…" the order by Ajay Kumar, deputy commissioner of Gurgaon, read.
The previous order to discontinue physical classes was issued on Nov 18 and was applicable till Nov 23. Noida, too, has extended closure of schools till Monday.
On Sunday, parents said they endorsed the district administration's decision to stop physical classes.
"As residents of Gurgaon grapple with the smog and its health implications, the administration's swift actions underscore the pressing need for long-term solutions to combat air pollution and ensure a healthier future for the community," said Palak Verma, a resident of Sector 90, whose 9-year-old son is a student at Saint Paul's school.
Rohit Sharma, a father of two, said, "Air quality has been terrible. My children have been coughing non-stop. Closing the schools is the right decision, but we need more permanent solutions."