Schools gear up, but won’t shut down

NEW DELHI: Schools gearing up for another spell of poor air quality say shutting down is “not an option.” This is a period of intense activity in schools and they will have to make do with measures like stopping outdoor activities, moving sports to late afternoons and instructing buses to “keep shutters down” while ferrying kids. Some are even considering air purifiers.

“We can’t keep closing. This is an important time. All classes are in revision mode for the second term exams,” says

Ameeta Mulla Wattal

, principal, Springdales School, Pusa Road.

“I think even the children are now realising this will require a lifestyle change and already cover faces or wear masks,” says Priyanka Mehta, principal, Amity International School, Mayur Vihar. As a matter of policy, the school changes its timetable in the winter, scheduling all activity periods in the afternoon.

“We are discussing the possibility of getting air purifiers but have also undertaken reviewing our curriculum to look at the issue of air pollution,” says Neena Kaul, principal, Heritage, Rohini.