Delhi schools shift classes 1–9 and 11 to hybrid mode as air quality plunges into severe zone

Delhi’s education system has swung into immediate damage control as hazardous air quality grips the capital. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has mandated a shift to hybrid learning for Classes 1 through 9 and Class 11 across all government, aided, and private schools under its jurisdiction, effective immediately.

This move comes as pollution levels in the city have skyrocketed, triggering the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce Stage-IV measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb the escalating crisis.

With Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting a staggering 431—its worst this year — the DoE’s directive aims to protect vulnerable students from prolonged exposure to toxic air while maintaining educational continuity. Schools are now required to blend physical and online teaching, giving students and parents the option to attend remotely wherever feasible until further notice.

“This is a critical public health response to an unprecedented spike in pollution levels,” said the Directorate’s official notice. “All school heads must implement hybrid classes immediately for the affected grades across government and private institutions.”

The intensified restrictions are part of a broader clampdown as the Delhi government simultaneously orders government and private offices to limit on-site staff to 50% capacity, mandating work-from-home for the rest. While essential services remain exempt, non-essential commutes and activities are being curtailed to reduce vehicular emissions and human exposure.

Earlier Stage-III measures—including bans on construction and demolition—failed to stem the tide as weather conditions aggravated the crisis. The CAQM’s move to Stage-IV signals a severe escalation demanding urgent public cooperation.

With forecasts predicting continued ‘severe’ pollution, the capital faces a critical test of its resilience. Authorities have warned that if conditions do not improve, more stringent interventions will follow to safeguard the health of Delhi’s millions.

The hybrid schooling and partial office closures mark a significant shift in how the city grapples with pollution, balancing public health priorities with economic and educational imperatives in this ongoing environmental emergency.