All schools in the national capital will remain closed until further orders in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, owing to the rising levels of air pollution in the city.
As per a directive by the Education Department, all the government, government-aided, unaided recognised, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and Delhi Cantonment Board Schools will remain closed.
However, online teaching, learning activities, and the examinations for board classes would be conducted as per earlier guidelines.
The residents of the national capital continue to breath polluted air as air quality in the city was recorded under 'very poor' category on Sunday morning.
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was 324 for PM10 and 200 for PM2.5.
As PM10 has gone over 300, the department has issued a health advisory asking people with heart or lung diseases, older adults, and children to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. The PM2.5 level was found to be under the 'very poor' category.
According to the SAFAR forecast, the pollution levels are expected to deteriorate further in the next 24 hours with PM10 likely to reach 356 and PM2.5 220.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and between 401 and 500 is considered 'severe'.
Earlier on 13 November, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced the shutting down of physical classes in schools for a week.
"This measure would particularly protect the children from inhaling toxic air," the CM had then said.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)