Schooling in India in Case of Poor Air Quality

In mid-November 2024, schools in Delhi State were instructed to transition from in-person to online classes as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

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This directive followed a Supreme Court ruling and was influenced by concerns over the adverse health effects of deteriorating air quality on students.

What are the Challenges Associated with Closing of Schools?

Air Quality in Schools vs. Homes: Many children experience similar or worse air quality at home compared to schools.
- eg., Underprivileged children benefit from better air quality in schools equipped with air purifiers.
Social and Emotional Development: Schools are vital for peer interaction and emotional growth, which are largely absent in virtual setups.
- eg., Online platforms reduce real-time engagement, making it difficult for teachers to address students’ individual needs.
Nutritional Loss: Children reliant on mid-day meals lose access to this critical nutritional support.
Increased Screen Time: Younger children are exposed to harmful screen time during online classes.

Suggestions for Addressing Poor Air Quality in Schools

Ensuring Continuity of Physical Classes: Schools should remain functional regardless of AQI levels to maintain learning continuity.
- Mitigation measures:
  - Completely halt outdoor activities in schools when AQI is poor.
  - Encourage the use of air purifiers and face masks, based on age and health needs.
  - Allow children with pre-existing respiratory issues to benefit from mask-wearing, particularly in polluted spaces.
Health-Centric Preventive Measures: Focus on preventive healthcare for individuals with pre-existing respiratory or health conditions.
- Promote regular health check-ups and follow-ups with healthcare providers.
- Encourage vaccinations, including:
  - Annual influenza vaccination.
  - Age-appropriate vaccines like pneumococcal, measles, and Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib).