In light of the ongoing severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court has directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to review its recent decision to suspend physical classes in schools and colleges. The order was passed on Monday, November 25, by a bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih.
The Court emphasized that the suspension of physical classes disproportionately impacts students from marginalized communities, many of whom rely on schools for midday meals and lack access to the internet for online education. Highlighting this issue, the bench observed, “In many homes, there are no air purifiers, and hence there is not much difference between outside and inside air for such families.”
The CAQM has been instructed to deliberate on whether physical classes can resume, especially for students of standards 10 and 12 who are preparing for crucial examinations. The Court has asked for a decision to be made by tomorrow.
This directive follows an application filed last Friday by parents of children from underprivileged sections and those with special needs. They argued that the suspension of physical classes exacerbates inequalities, as many families lack the resources to support online learning effectively.
With pollution levels continuing to disrupt daily life in Delhi-NCR, this move could provide relief to students and their families, balancing health concerns with the need for educational access. A final decision from CAQM is awaited.
