Delhi, Noida Schools: Will online classes come to an end as air quality clears up? Here's what students need to know
 

As air quality in Delhi and Noida starts showing improvement, the question lingering in everyone's mind is whether schools will reopen soon. Schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) - Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram - were closed throughout the week because of hazardous air quality levels. The Delhi government had ordered online classes for schools until the air quality improves. The Air Quality Index reached dangerous levels in several areas.

The AQI in Delhi has been oscillating between the "very poor" and "severe" categories over the past few days. On Thursday morning, it slightly improved, but remained high at 381 - very poor. Because of this, the Directorate of Education suspended physical classes and launched online classes as a precaution. It has said the schools will remain closed till the air quality improves enough or until there is new direction issued in this regard.

In addition to schools, some higher education institutions like Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU), and Jamia Millia Islamia have suspended physical classes and resorted to online classes until November 23. The AQI has been so severe that schools in Noida, Ghaziabad, and some other NCR cities have switched to online classes.

The worsening air quality has been a serious concern, with Delhi's air quality plunging to "severe" levels as early as Wednesday morning. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an AQI of 424 in Delhi on Wednesday, prompting the Railways to report delays in train services due to reduced visibility caused by thick smog.

Air quality has slightly improved, but that still doesn't make it safe for both health and education. Parents and students are on their toes, waiting on authorities about reopening schools or not. For now, the students must continue attending online classes until the air quality improves to safer levels.

It's within this scenario that we await further updates, our first priority still being students' and staff members' health and safety, alongside maintaining educational continuity through online platforms.

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