After the Delhi Government announced shutdown of schools till November 5 following announcement of public health emergency by the Supreme Court in the wake of hazardous pollution in the National Capital, parents in Ghaziabad demanded closure of schools in the city.
The pollution level of Ghaziabad is higher than that of Delhi. Yet the Delhi Government took a decisive step to save children from the impact of the pollution while the Ghaziabad administration is not even considering shutting down of schools till the situation normalises. The irony is not lost on the parents who are concerned about the safety of their wards.
Shivani Jain, president of All School Parents Association (ASPA), said that small children who leave for school early in the morning are more prone to health risk from the pollution.
"They (children) are more likely to catch respiratory ailments. Parents are sending their children to school with their faces covered with masks. But their bodies are still exposed which may lead to irritation in eyes and skin," Jain said.
ASPA has been demanding that the district administration shut down schools in the city since at least for four days. "We have asked district magistrate (DM) of Ghaziabad to take this step which is incumbent. However, we have yet to receive a response from his side," she rued.
Priyanka Rana, president of DPS Indirapuram Parents Association, held the administration responsible for spoiling the health of the children. "While neighbouring city, Delhi, has shut down all schools, we, having the similar pollution situation, are forced to send our kids to the school.”
Rana also said that some parents have stopped sending their children to schools on their own. "However, they may start doing so as they fear their children might lag behind in studies which are going on in schools," she said.
Jain alleged that the administration has no regard for the health of the children who are the future of this city. "The administration has issued health advisory for the public where it's clearly stated that people, especially small school going children and senior citizens, should avoid indulging in outdoor activities. However, their intentions are different. The administration conducted Run for Unity with school children in such adverse conditions. Their intention of caring about public is false," Jain commented.
Run for Unity event was organised across country and Ghaziabad as well, on October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. The event was organised by the state and Central governments where thousands of people participated in marathon. In Ghaziabad, the event witnessed participation by hundreds of school-going children. This event happened a day after the health advisory was issued by the district administration.
Post Diwali, on Tuesday, Ghaziabad had topped in the most polluted city in the country with its Air Quality Index reaching the dangerous mark of 459, the emergency stage as per Central Pollution Control Board.
