Frequent closures a logistical nightmare, say Delhi schools

Sudha Acharya, chairperson of the National Progressive Schools’ Conference, which has over 120 Delhi private schools as members, said abrupt and frequent closures were leading to a learning loss among children and also preventing schools from making any long-term plans

With the Delhi government announcing the closure of schools on account of pollution once again, schools said they are now compelled to put their plans of full-fledged resumption of classes and various services on hold. The uncertainty surrounding in-person classes has also created logistical challenges, they said.

The Delhi government announced closure of schools on Thursday. (Hindustan Times)

Sudha Acharya, chairperson of the National Progressive Schools’ Conference, which has over 120 Delhi private schools as members, said abrupt and frequent closures were leading to a learning loss among children and also preventing schools from making any long-term plans.

“We had just reopened after making so many arrangements and now schools have been asked to shut again. We are compelled to change the timetable every time such decisions are announced. All our planning has gone haywire. Teachers and students are confused since there is not much predictability. We don’t know whether we will be able to conduct final exams in schools or not,” said Acharya.

She said parents were also under pressure since they had recently purchased new uniforms and made arrangements with private transportation services for ferrying their wards to school and back. The frequent closures have disrupted transport services, canteen and cafeteria functioning, and also the working of non-teaching staff. “Parents were arranging for carpool services and vans so that they could send children to school. Even uniforms were purchased. All that has been derailed. Working parents, especially, will have to reschedule their days now that schools are closed again,” said Acharya.

Laksh Vir Sehgal, principal of Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg, said the on and off nature of in-person classes was causing a lot of logistical challenges. He said the school employed several contractual employees and relieving them of duty time and again was inconvenient for both parties concerned. “We had called these employees back to work in the hopes that in-person classes would continue normally. Now, we will have to lay them off for some days at least. Their income is also affected,” said Sehgal.

Jyoti Arora, principal, Mount Abu Public School, said repeated closure of schools was disappointing and sought a long-term solution since pollution spikes have become an annual phenomenon.

“Policymakers must come together and deliberate on the rising pollution levels. Shutting schools is a symptomatic treatment. We need a strategic therapy for a long-term solution,” said Joshi. The school’s plans of starting the school bus service from Monday have been halted due to the closure.