Supreme Court weighs Delhi school closures over pollution
The Supreme Court is reviewing Delhi's move to shut primary schools because of dangerous air pollution.
While the order aims to protect kids' health, it also means many students lose access to mid-day meals—often their main source of nutrition.
Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy pointed out that for some children, especially those living near busy roads, the pollution at home may be worse than at school, and that schools may offer a safer environment in terms of supervision and nutrition.
Balancing health, education, and fairness
Chief Justice Surya Kant admitted it's tough to balance learning with health risks during pollution spikes, especially since not all families can afford treatment if kids get sick.
There was debate about using hybrid classes instead of closures, but the Chief Justice worried this could make things less fair for students without equal resources.
With winter break coming up soon, the court decided to wait and see if air quality improves before making any big changes.