Delhi schools press manic button, extend Diwali holidays, distribute masks

Extend Diwali holidays

Schools in Delhi-NCR are leaving no stone unturned to address the issue of rising air pollution. Right from distributing masks to holding rally, schools have gone ahead to extend Diwali break.

A parent of a ten year old, whose son is studying in ApeeJay School, Noida told Mail Today that the school has already granted the children a break. "The school has issued a circular about the Diwali holidays. It is from 27th October till November 12. With the air so polluted today, it is good that the school took a decision to grant a break to the children," said Neha Sharma.

While a school in Delhi, Vidya Bal Bhawan Mayur Vihar 3, has decided to distribute 1600 masks to students of class 3 and upwards, other schools claimed that they are holding awareness campaigns and even organizing student rallies.

Talking about the step of distributing masks, Dr Satweer Sharma, Principal of the Vidya Bal Bhawan, Mayur Vihar Phase 3 told Mail Today, "We have already issued a circular about the distribution of masks among students. Apart from that, we have stopped construction activities in our school. We are also holding sessions with students asking them to stay indoors and maintain hygiene."

With the air level index going haywire, it is the students who end up suffering with diseases like cough and common cold.

Sofia Malik, teacher at Bosco Public School, Paschim Vihar said, "We are holding awareness campaigns in our school. To make students aware about the rising air pollution and the effect of burning crackers on the enviromnment, we are organizing a student rally on Friday. Moreover, since students these days are active on social media, we are also asking students to suggest ideas to celebrate a cracker free diwali on Facebook."

A teacher of Delhi Public School in Gurgaon, on the condition of anonymity shared that their school has asked students to come up with ideas to celebrate environmentally friendly Diwali.

"For the past few days, the air appears to have a choking effect so we decided that morning assemblies which were held in the field will now take place in the auditoriums. Extensive awareness campaigns are being organised to make the students aware about the air we breathe is getting affected due to dust and pollution. As of now, school will stick to giving holiday till November 12".