Delhi School Holiday: The Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Delhi faced a swift reversal of its decision to extend school holidays, retracting the circular within an hour of issuance. Originally intended to keep all government and non-government schools closed until January 10 due to the prevailing cold wave, the Directorate of Education clarified that the order was issued in error on Saturday.
The decision to extend the holidays was made in response to the severe cold wave enveloping North India, including Delhi NCR, where temperatures have plummeted, and dense fog has disrupted normal life. For days, the capital has experienced exceptionally low visibility, hindering flights and train operations. In light of these conditions, the initial circular aimed to provide relief to students by extending winter holidays.
However, the situation took a turn when the Directorate of Education promptly retracted the order, acknowledging the mistake and promising a final decision on Sunday. The confusion surrounding the extension of leave reflects the ongoing challenges posed by the severe cold wave. Citizens in Delhi and NCR areas have been grappling with intense cold for the third consecutive day, with the maximum temperature recorded at 15.2 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in many places was recorded in the very poor category, further adding to the concerns. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cold wave and fog are expected to persist for the next few days, with a possibility of rain within the next two to three days.
The Delhi Education Department finds itself in a dilemma, considering the prevailing weather conditions and the potential impact on students’ well-being. Earlier, due to concerns about pollution, the Delhi government had decided to keep schools closed. The situation remains fluid as authorities weigh the options and consider the best course of action for the safety and comfort of students during this challenging weather period.
