Cold forces Delhi schools to remain closed

As the cold wave showed no sign of abatement on Thursday, the Delhi government issued an order directing all schools to remain closed till January 12.

The order, which seeks to spare children the agony of attending school in such punishing conditions, applies to all schools under the directorate of education, MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board.

The order also mentioned that strict action will be taken in case of non-compliance.

The weather in the Capital on Thursday, too, was very cold with the maximum temperature being 12.7°C, eight degrees below normal.

The minimum was 4.4°C, three degrees below normal. The lowest minimum temperature of the season, 4°C, was recorded on January 1.
Dense fog led to cancellations of six flights and affected the schedule of 50 others.

On Friday, the maximum temperature is expected to be around 14°C while the minimum is expected to be 5°C. Fog is also expected in the morning.

Among the Capital’s schools, Delhi Public School, RK Puram, was among the few planning to reopen on January 9.

But the order was issued, RK Saini, principal, DPS RK Puram, clarified on Thursday: “We will follow the orders passed by the directorate of education as well as our management.”

Most other schools are in any case closed for winter vacations till January 14.

This includes Delhi government schools, whose calendar was changed in February 2011 permanently to make sure that winter vacations started some time late December and ended in mid-January to avoid harsh weather conditions.