Educate kids on pollution, worried DoE tells schools

The Delhi government on Monday directed schools in the national Capital to sensitise and educate students regarding the health hazards and ill effects of breathing polluted air, including air that has been polluted by fireworks. Special assemblies were by conducted and lectures and other activities were organised for the purpose.

The action plan was issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) in the backdrop of increased concerns about city's air pollution, which had reached alarming levels last month, prompting suspension of classes in schools for a week.

"All festivals and other such occasions should be celebrated during the day time to avoid use of more energy and to prevent the various pollutants from entering the environment. No crackers should be burnt during such occasions," the circular read.

The DoE further directed all schools that themes for all zonal, district or state level competitions should be related to good or pollution-free environment. Further, frequent awareness sessions should also be held in the week before Dusshera and Diwali, to sensitise students towards the consequences of burning crackers.

The circular also asked the schools to organise plantation programmes, in which each student may grow at least one plant every year with the sole responsibility to nurture it. "SMC/PTA members should also be motivated and encouraged to help in generating awareness in the society about the importance of good environment," the circular read.

"All schools should display the consequences of polluted environment as well as the necessity of healthy and good quality environment in the form of drawings and paintings on related themes or topics," it added.

The DoE had earlier issued several directives to schools, following an advisory from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which recommended various measures as part of the Graded Response Plan for dealing with the pollution situation.