New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that all NCR schools has to take an immediate call to stop physical classes upto standard 12 in view of the deteriorating Air Quality.
Earlier the Delhi government had directed the discontinuation of physical classes for all students, barring standards 10 and 12the classes.
A bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice AG Masih was hearing the petitions seeking directions to curb air pollution in the Capital and adjoining areas.
During the hearing, a petitioner questioned the Delhi government’s decision to discontinue physical classes for all students, barring standards 10 and 12, arguing that the lungs of these students “cannot be different” from those of the others.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued, “Lungs of 10th, 12th students not different than other students. A direction can be given to stop those physical classes as well”.
The Bench directed, “ All NCR states take an immediate call to stop physical classes of all standards up to class 12.
The bench further directed that Delhi/NCR states be on GRAP-4 mode, panel and monitor the implementation of grievance redress mechanism for citizens to give complaints.
The Court ordered GRAP 4 restrictions to continue till further orders even if Air Quality Index (AQI) drops below 450.
The Delhi government had on Sunday announced the discontinuation of physical classes from Monday for all students, barring classes 10 and 12, in view of the board exams next year.
With the air quality worsening further to “severe plus” levels the Delhi government also announced the implementation of restrictions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
If the GRAP-4 were to be imposed from today, physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12.
All schools will hold online classes, until further orders,” Chief Minister Atishi said in a post on X on Sunday.
Under Stage 4 of GRAP is implemented when the Air Quality Index crosses the 450 mark. Commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are banned from entering the Capital unless they are EVs, CNG or conform to BS-VI norms.
The Haryana government declared holidays for students up to class 5 in both government and private schools.
It directed its deputy commissioners to extend the holiday or shift to online classes, depending on local air quality conditions.
Punjab Government has not responded yet.
UNI
