Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context
Considering scientific rationale and the benefits and risks, the functioning of schools needs to be delinked from Graded Response Action Plan measures.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 28th November 2024
Schooling in India in times of poor air quality
The decision to switch schools in Delhi to online mode as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat air pollution has sparked significant debate. Initiated in mid-November 2024, the measure aims to address poor air quality triggered when the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the “poor” threshold.
While intended to protect children’s health, the efficacy, scientific rationale, and practical implications of this decision deserve scrutiny.
Health Implications of Poor Air Quality
- AQI and Health Risks: Air quality in North India, particularly in Delhi , is consistently poor, with AQI often ranging between 51 and 400.
- Threshold of Concern: Indian air quality norms deem an AQI of 50 or below as “good”. However, Delhi experienced just one day of “good” air quality in 2023 and none in 2024, signaling that poor air quality is a year-round challenge.
- The health risks associated with poor air quality extend to all age groups, not just children. However, children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing respiratory systems and higher intake of air relative to their size.
- Continuum of Harm: any AQI above 50 poses risks, especially for long-term respiratory health.
- Yet, the current focus on “severe” or “severe plus” AQI thresholds above 400 risks normalizing the detrimental effects of moderately polluted air, impacting both adults and children alike.
- Impact on Schools and Homes: Research shows that air quality inside homes and schools can be equally poor, especially in underprivileged areas.
- In fact, many schools have air purifiers, potentially offering better air quality than in children’s homes.
Online Classes and Its Educational and Social Consequences
- Learning Loss:
- Shifting to online classes due to poor air quality can lead to significant learning loss.
- Physical schooling provides more than just academic learning — it supports social development, emotional well-being, and peer interaction.
- Online education, especially for younger children, does not replicate these experiences, leading to potential gaps in both academic and social growth.
- Nutritional Loss:
- Many children rely on mid-day meals provided in schools as an essential source of nutrition.
- Shifting to online classes denies them this critical support, potentially affecting their health and overall well-being.
- Disadvantages of Screen Time:
- For children, especially those in the primary grades, excessive screen time can be harmful.
- This can lead to eye strain, mental fatigue, and behavioral issues.
- Disproportionate Impact:
- The shift to online classes disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, who may lack access to reliable internet or digital devices.
- This creates educational inequality, further exacerbating the digital divide in India.
Mask-Wearing Policies and Their Scientific Basis
- Unscientific Advisories:
- Some schools have recommended children wear face masks when attending school.
- However, this policy lacks scientific grounding.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, children under five were advised against mask-wearing, and for those aged six to eleven, masks were advised, not mandatory.
- Current mask-wearing guidelines for children during periods of poor air quality should be based on empirical evidence and tailored to individual health needs.
- Context-Specific Guidelines:
- The advisories on wearing face masks should be nuanced and personalized, considering factors such as the presence of air purifiers in classrooms and the individual health conditions of children.
- The assumption that all children should wear masks universally is problematic.
- Negative Side Effects:
- N95 masks can cause discomfort and skin irritation in children, especially those younger than twelve.
- There is no evidence suggesting that face masks provide additional protection when air purifiers are functioning optimally.
Science-Based Approach to School Functioning during Poor Air Quality
- School Functionality:
- The primary goal should be to keep schools open and functioning, irrespective of the AQI level.
- This approach ensures learning continuity and avoids exacerbating the education crisis.
- Measures should focus on mitigation strategies, such as halting outdoor activities when air quality is poor.
- Use of Air Purifiers:
- Schools should ensure that classrooms are equipped with air purifiers, which should be turned on at least an hour before children arrive.
- This would ensure that the indoor air quality is safe, even during periods of severe pollution.
- Adaptation to Local Context:
- Schools should implement strategies based on local needs.
- If the air quality is very poor, children with respiratory conditions or parents who prefer to keep them at home should have the option to opt-out from physical classes.
- This flexibility would cater to individual circumstances without disrupting the overall schooling system.
- Hybrid Classes Should Be Discouraged:
- The use of hybrid classes or a combination of online and physical classes should not be a convenient excuse for schools to shift entirely online.
- Schools must focus on ensuring physical schooling to prevent learning gaps, while also addressing air quality concerns.
Policy Must Be People-Centric and Pro-Poor
- Impact on the Vulnerable:
- The poor and marginalized communities are the most affected by both poor air quality and school closures.
- Children from low-income families are already at a disadvantage in terms of learning outcomes.
- People-Centric Policy:
- Any policy related to air quality and schooling must be designed with a people-centricapproach, keeping in mind the most vulnerable sections of society.
- A pro-poor focus must ensure that the measures under GRAP do not exacerbate existing inequalities in education, health, and income.
- Addressing the Root Causes:
- Rather than closing schools, policymakers must focus on addressing the root causes of poor air quality, such as vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and construction dust.
- A comprehensive approach should tackle both the short-term and long-term impacts of air pollution on children’s health and education.
- Long-Term Solutions:
- India must work towards long-term solutions, such as increasing green spaces, improving public transportation, and adopting clean energy solutions, to ensure that children can attend school safely without the looming threat of pollution.
Conclusion
Moving forward, the focus must be on addressing the root causes of air pollution and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not disproportionately affected by the policy. India needs to break away from short-term, reactionary measures and adopt a sustainable, inclusive approach to air quality and education.
Related PYQ
Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2022]
Practice Question
Poor air quality in urban areas is emerging as a serious public health concern. Discuss its implications on health, education, and the economy. [150 words]
Guidelines for Answering the Question
- Introduction:
- Brief explanation of the issue (air pollution in urban areas).
- State the significance of the problem in the context of urban health and environment.
- Body:
- Discuss the health risks posed by poor air quality (respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, etc.).
- Highlight effects of school closures due to pollution or online education.
- Discuss challenges in Implementation
- Discuss measures (e.g., air purifiers in schools, wearing masks, limiting outdoor activities).
- Conclusion:
- Summarize key points succinctly.
- Emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach combining both short-term and long-term measures.