Principal suspended for holding exam outdoors in China
A school principal in China's Linzhou city was suspended for holding exams for 400 students in an open playground despite closure orders amid a pollution 'red alert' across several parts of the country. The 'worst smog of the year' has reportedly affected over 46 crore people, with people being forced to either leave the affected cities or breathe toxic air.
From K J M Varma Beijing, Dec 21 (PTI) A school principal in China was today suspended for holding exams in open, defying closure orders and a red alert issued after the worst smog of the year that engulfed several parts of the country. The red alert, which has been in force since Friday, will be lifted at 12 am Thursday, said Beijings heavy pollution emergency response headquarters. Air quality will improve remarkably tomorrow in Beijing, it said, as cold air is expected to disperse the smog that has lasted for several days, official media here reported. Emergency measures such as car restrictions based on even- odd license plate numbers will end, and kindergartens and schools will resume classes, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The PM 2.5 density in the capital remained at high levels today. More than 20 cities in north China including capital Beijing issued red alerts for the latest bout of polluted air. Hundreds of flights were disrupted and many freeways closed due to low visibility in some affected area. Meanwhile, the principal of a middle school in central Chinas Henan Province has been suspended from duty in Linzhou City for defying the orders to close all kindergartens and schools in the city following red alert for air pollution. 