Central China city to install air purifiers at all schools

Education authorities in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, announced late Wednesday that air purifiers would be installed in all its schools and kindergartens.

The installation will begin this summer, with the aim that the majority of schools will have air purifiers by the end of the year, according to Zhengzhou municipal education commission.

"I wholeheartedly support it," one parent, surnamed Li, told Xinhua. "It will be good both for our kid's health and education."

Of the many Chinese provinces to be affected by the annual winter smog, Henan is among the worst hit.

Local authorities suspended class on six occasions in 2016 due to heavy air pollution, disrupting the lives of students and parents.

Li had to take leave or pay for her son to attend a cram school when Zhengzhou government issued red alerts for air quality.

"There had been talk between myself and other parents of raising money to buy the school an air purifier, but now it's all solved," she said.

Zhengzhou is the second city to commit to installing air purification systems at all of its schools.

Beijing earlier this month urged districts to begin to install purification systems.

Tianjin Economic and Technology Development Area begun to fit out all its kindergartens, primary and secondary schools with air filters this year.