Delhi schools directed to implement winter action plan for air pollution
The Directorate of Education has ordered all government and private schools to follow measures including dust control and anti-firecracker campaigns.
The Delhi Directorate of Education has directed all government, government-aided and private unaided recognised schools in the national capital to implement the Winter Action Plan 2026-27 to mitigate air pollution, according to ThePrint and The Tribune.
The directive includes measures such as sprinkling water to control dust, avoiding dust-generating construction, expanding green patches on premises, and promoting the use of public transport.
Schools must also install efficient ventilation systems to maintain clean indoor air, promote recycling, and switch off lights when not in use. They are required to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for air pollution control.
To prevent the open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste, schools have been asked to provide electric heaters to staff engaged in sanitation, security, and horticulture services.
The plan includes anti-firecracker campaigns between October and November 2026, featuring lectures and slogan-writing competitions. In November, schools will hold awareness programmes with poster-making, quizzes, and essay-writing contests.
Other scheduled activities include dust-control awareness in December and noise pollution programmes in January 2027. Heads of schools must submit monthly progress reports via a Google Sheet by the last day of every month.