Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday accused schools of doing politics over Delhi government’s order to shut them for three days in the wake of alarming levels of pollution and said it has been decided to ensure good health of children.
“Schools have been shut due to alarming situation of pollution in Delhi. Some schools are doing politics over it. This decision is in favour of students. Private schools are directed to follow it and not play with the health of children,” he said in a series of tweets.
As pollution levels worsened in Delhi, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday called an emergency cabinet meeting and announced that schools in the city will remain closed till Wednesday.
He also announced a raft of “emergency” measures to deal with the situation including ban on construction and demolition activities for next five days and temporary closure of Badarpur Power Plant.
While few private schools welcomed the move, there were few who raised concerns about the syllabus of students suffering due to unexpected holidays.
“Government cannot order shutting of schools like this. Health is important but we need to focus on finishing syllabus also. Our schools will remain open,” said R.C. Jain, head of Delhi State Public Schools’ Management Association. While all MCD schools were closed on Friday, few schools had declared holiday till Monday and others suspended their morning assemblies.
