Suffering from toxic air, starved of learning: How school students are suffering in Delhi

Delhi Pollution: Toxic air forced the closure of schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) this year just as it did last year for the same reason. However, for many students, particularly those from economically weaker sections, this shift has created insurmountable barriers.

On November 17, the Centre’s air quality panel — the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) — passed the order to shift the classes online.

While the situation is expected to improve over the coming days, the CAQM on November 25 directed state governments in Delhi-NCR to ensure that all classes up to the 12th standard are conducted in a ‘hybrid’ mode while noting that primary schools in the region lack the capability or access to conduct classes entirely online, the schools are not expected to resume functioning at full strength immediately. And the lack of access to smartphones or reliable internet is likely to continue affecting a large number of students in the meantime.

Even families with better resources have grappled with the inefficiencies of online learning, underscoring the need for urgent interventions to prevent long-term damage to students’ educational journeys.

Also read: Air pollution: Closed schools throttle livelihood of Delhi’s hawkers

In Madrasi Camp, Jangpura, Sonal Kashyap, a fifth-grade student, was found playing outside her house with other children. Her father had left for work, attempting to earn the family’s livelihood despite the challenges posed by air pollution and poor economic conditions. When asked about her studies, Sonal said, “My parents told me schools are closed for the month because of the bad air quality. They said I don’t have to go to school for now.”

However, the reality behind Sonal’s statement was much more troubling. Her mother, Shanti Devi, revealed that the family had lied to their daughter because they could not afford the devices or internet connectivity necessary for her to attend online classes. “It is deeply saddening for us as parents. We want her to study, but we don’t have the means to buy her a smartphone or pay for a broadband connection. This air pollution has disrupted her studies completely,” Shanti said with visible distress.

Shanti also mentioned that they had approached the school administration for help, but their request was denied. “The school said they couldn’t provide any assistance. We feel helpless watching our daughter’s education suffer,” she added. Another challenge for families like Sonal’s is the absence of mid-day meals that schools used to provide. “When schools were open, we didn’t have to worry about one meal for our children. But now, with classes online, even feeding them has become a struggle. Our monthly budget has been completely thrown off by this situation,” she lamented.

Rohan Yadav, a seventh-grade student, faced a similar plight. He, too, was seen playing with friends during school hours. When asked why he wasn’t attending online classes, he responded, “I don’t have a mobile phone or a WiFi connection at home. Without these, I can’t attend classes.” His father, Sanjay Yadav, a daily wage worker, shared how the pollution related construction ban in the city had worsened their financial condition. “I haven’t been able to work because all construction activities are halted. My wife is a homemaker, and our income has completely dried up. There’s no way we can afford expensive gadgets or internet services for online education,” he explained.

Sanjay also criticised the lack of support from schools. “We asked the school for help with resources, but they refused, saying there was nothing they could do. It’s heartbreaking to see our children lose out on education due to circumstances beyond our control,” he said.

Another affected student, Shyam Verma, a ninth-grader, was found sitting outside his home with a textbook. Shyam said his father, who owns a small food cart, was out working. “I want to attend online classes like my friends, but we don’t have the resources for it. That’s why I try to study on my own by reading textbooks,” he shared. Despite his determination, the lack of guidance and access to digital resources poses a significant hurdle to Shyam’s academic progress.

Challenges in affluent areas

The struggles with online education are not limited to underprivileged families. Patriot also visited some of Delhi’s posh localities to understand how better-resourced families were coping with the situation. In Anand Vihar, parents expressed a different set of concerns about online classes, primarily related to maintaining discipline and ensuring their children remained focused.

Versha Gupta, a 35-year-old mother, shared her challenges with her son Ashutosh, a sixth-grader studying in a private school. “Ever since schools shifted to online classes, it has been a constant struggle to make him focus. He thinks that because he’s at home, he doesn’t need to take his studies seriously. He often uses picture-in picture mode on the mobile phone to play games or watch videos during classes,” she said, expressing frustration.

Other parents echoed similar concerns. Sanjeev Sharma, whose son Ankush studies at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Delhi Cantonment, criticised the effectiveness of online education.

“I leave my mobile phone at home for my son so he can attend classes. But when I return from work, I find that only one or two classes were conducted in an entire day. It’s very disappointing,” he said.

Sharma pointed out that the limited number of classes and the lack of student engagement made online education less effective compared to in-person learning.

Sharma also emphasised the broader impact of air pollution on children’s education.

Also read: Why houseplants aren’t the solution to clean air

“The government needs to find a long-term solution to this pollution crisis. Shutting down schools is not the answer. The education of thousands of children is being compromised because of this issue,” he asserted.

Despite having access to devices and internet connectivity, parents in affluent areas struggled with the challenge of ensuring their children remained motivated and disciplined.

“Teachers can’t monitor students effectively during online classes, and this reduces their focus. Physical classes are much better for their learning and development,” Sharma added.

‘Online teaching is indispensable’

According to Dr Alka Kapur, principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, “Online classes have become indispensable, especially when external challenges like a severe air quality index (AQI) pose serious health concerns. While online education ensures uninterrupted learning and protects students from outdoor hazards, its limitations, affecting the overall student experience, cannot be denied.”

“On the brighter side, online education has proven to be a practical solution, especially in schools making efforts to cover the curriculum using cutting-edge digital tools. It ensures a flexible mode of education, minimises exposure to harmful air conditions, and supports consistent academic growth. Educators and institutions have displayed remarkable ingenuity by using creative methods to captivate students and keep the education experience lively and interactive,” Kapur said.

“However, the presence of a traditional classroom setup must be reassured soon. Students miss the vibrant aura of physical classrooms—the joy of learning with peers, forging friendships, participating in co-curricular activities, and experiencing the spontaneity of group discussions. These aspects, though intangible, are crucial for holistic growth, fostering social skills, and enhancing creativity. Additionally, the reduced physical activity and increased screen time in online learning can affect physical and mental well-being,” Kapur added.