Haryana Govt Shuts Schools Up to Class 5 Amid Rising Air Pollution, Shifts to Online Classes

Haryana: In view of the rising pollution, the Haryana government on Saturday announced the temporary closure of all schools up to class 5. An official letter said directions may soon be issued for online classes in both government and private schools. 

The Haryana government said that a letter has been written to all the District Deputy Commissioners on behalf of the Directorate of School Education in this regard.

The development comes mere days after primary schools in Delhi switched to online learning until further notice.

Haryana's Jind reported "severe" air quality, while several areas across the state and neighboring Punjab recorded AQI levels ranging from "poor" to “very poor.”

Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remained in the "severe" category for the fourth consecutive day, with the AQI standing at 407 as of 9 a.m. on Saturday.

The government restrictions were imposed under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management earlier this week.