Schooling in India in Times of Poor Air Quality (GS Paper 3, Environment)
Context
- Delhi schools were recently instructed to switch to online mode under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to worsening air quality, raising concerns about the measure's effectiveness.
- This shift has sparked debates, as both indoor and outdoor air quality are similarly poor for most children, and the decision leads to learning losses and nutritional challenges, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.
Key Issues Raised in the Report
Air Quality and School Closures: A Misguided Measure
- Poor air quality affects all age groups, including children. Harmful effects begin when Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses 50, a level often surpassed in Delhi.
- While AQI levels under 400 are still harmful, they are often considered "moderate pollution" (AQI 51–399), which may mask the severity of the issue.
- Shutting schools due to poor AQI fails to address the underlying issue of pollution, and the online mode of learning is seen as an inadequate substitute.
Air Quality and Indoor Environments
- Indoor air quality at homes and schools is often similar, with underprivileged children in particular facing worse conditions at home.
- Many schools provide a better air quality environment, often using air purifiers to improve the indoor air.
- Switching to online classes worsens the learning losses and nutritional losses for vulnerable children, as schools often provide essential services like mid-day meals.
Ineffectiveness of Online Learning
- Online education cannot effectively replace the holistic development that schools provide, especially for young children.
- There is concern that screen time for younger children may lead to harmful effects, outweighing any benefits from online learning.
- Physical schools are not just for academics—they play a crucial role in children’s overall development, including socialization, physical activity, and emotional growth.
Face Masks: Overused and Misapplied
- Some schools informally mandated mask-wearing for children, but there is no scientific backing for this, especially for children under five.
- Even for older children (6–11 years), mask-wearing was not mandatory during COVID-19, so making it mandatory in the context of air pollution is questionable.
- A more nuanced approach to health measures is needed, considering factors like air purifiers in classrooms and children’s health conditions.
Adopting Science-Based Mitigation Measures
- Schools should remain open with the adoption of science-based mitigation measures. These could include:
- Halting outdoor activities.
- Ensuring well-functioning air purifiers in classrooms.
- Allowing mask-wearing only when necessary (e.g., for children with pre-existing health conditions).
- The focus should be on maintaining physical schooling, as online learning causes significant learning deficits.
Preventive and Proactive Healthcare
- Emphasis should be placed on routine health checkups and vaccination (e.g., influenza and pneumococcal vaccines) to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children.
- Children with respiratory conditions should be given an opt-out option during days of severe AQI.
Policy Must Focus on Equity
- GRAP measures, though well-intended, often disproportionately harm vulnerable groups, particularly poor children.
- Policies should prioritize equity, ensuring that the well-being and development of children are not compromised.
- This approach should avoid the mistakes made during the COVID-19 pandemic, where prolonged school closures exacerbated educational and socio-economic inequalities.
Conclusion
- The closure of schools due to poor air quality can cause more harm than good, particularly in terms of learning loss and nutritional deficits, especially for vulnerable children.
- Schools are not major contributors to air pollution, and their closure should not be linked to measures like GRAP. Instead, policies should focus on keeping schools open, while implementing science-based air quality mitigation measures to safeguard both children’s health and education.
