Parents in Delhi-NCR prepare for online classes as pollution levels rise before Diwali

Thousands of families across Delhi-NCR are preparing for online classes as air pollution worsens before Diwali, following a pattern set in previous years when schools shifted online due to severe smog. Delhi's air quality entered the "very poor" category on November 2, and Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan is currently in force across the region.

The Impact on Homes

Parents and schools are already arranging schedules to manage the expected shift. Aprajita Gautam, president of the Delhi Parents Association, notes that 10 to 15 days are lost to what families call a "pollution break" every year. Households rely on shared leave rosters, grandparents, or relatives to look after children. Ginny Bhandari, a counsellor at the Delhi Institute of Computer Science, explains that managing work and home learning simultaneously adds pressure, particularly because homework is sent through mobile phones.

Schools and Inequality

Private and government schools face different challenges during online shifts. Naman Jain, vice chairman of Silverline Prestige School in Ghaziabad, argues for school-level autonomy rather than blanket orders, noting that his institution is fully air-conditioned. However, Aprajita Gautam points out a deep digital divide for government school children who lack adequate devices. A north-west Delhi government school principal adds that government schools lack systematic online mechanisms, and nearly half of the teaching staff are often assigned to non-teaching duties like census and sports.

Context

Delhi-NCR faces severe air pollution every winter due to a combination of stubble burning, low wind speeds, and local emissions, which regularly forces emergency measures including school closures. Shifting to online education has become a standard fallback mechanism for authorities trying to protect children from toxic air during peak pollution episodes.