Fri Nov 22 20:19:50 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Parents Petition Supreme Court to Resume In-Person Classes Amid Air Pollution Closure
**New Delhi, November 23, 2024** – Eight Delhi parents have filed a Supreme Court petition demanding the resumption of in-person classes, suspended last week due to a surge in air pollution. The petitioners highlight the significant challenges faced by children, particularly those from low-income families and with special needs, in accessing and benefiting from online learning.
One petitioner, a driver, emphasized the lack of technological access in many homes, making virtual classes impossible. Another, the mother of a child with autism, explained the critical role of in-person support from teachers, including shadow teachers and speech therapists, which cannot be replicated online. She stated that online classes exacerbate her son’s difficulty focusing.
A government school principal corroborated these concerns, noting a significant drop in student attendance (to approximately 55%) during online learning periods. While private schools can better manage online classes, government schools struggle with limited resources and the challenges of multiple children sharing devices in many households. A private school principal also added that many children with special needs find online learning incredibly difficult.
The petition underscores the inequities in access to education during school closures, highlighting the need for solutions that ensure all children can continue their learning, regardless of socioeconomic background or special needs.
First Piper 