Delhi-NCR schools up to Class 5 to shift to hybrid mode amid rising pollution

Schools up to Class 5 in Delhi and five major National Capital Region (NCR) districts have been directed to conduct classes in hybrid mode until further orders as air pollution levels continue to deteriorate. The restrictions apply to Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Sonipat under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the instructions through a video message, asking schools to provide both online and offline learning options. The arrangement will remain in place until further changes are announced under the GRAP restrictions.

Sirsa also appealed to residents to comply with the pollution-control measures, warning that changing weather conditions could further affect air quality.

"All schools up to the fifth grade are required to operate in a hybrid mode; this is mandatory. These restrictions also apply to the NCR cities of Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Sonipat," Sirsa said.

Under the hybrid arrangement, students can attend classes either in person or online, wherever the digital learning facility is available. The decision to opt for online classes will rest with students and their parents or guardians.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of GRAP on Friday, November 6, introducing additional restrictions across Delhi-NCR to address worsening pollution levels.

Delhi-NCR schools not completely shut, hybrid learning made mandatory

The Stage III measures require schools up to Class 5 in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar to offer classes in hybrid mode, wherever feasible.

The directive does not amount to a complete shutdown of schools. Educational institutions can continue conducting physical classes while making online learning arrangements available to students.

Students and their parents or guardians can decide whether to attend classes on campus or participate through online platforms, subject to the availability of the facility.

Schools in other NCR districts may also consider shifting to hybrid learning based on local pollution conditions and instructions issued by the respective state governments.

GRAP Stage III: Older petrol and diesel vehicles face restrictions

Apart from educational institutions, the latest GRAP restrictions also impose curbs on the movement of older petrol and diesel vehicles in Delhi and designated NCR districts.

Petrol vehicles complying with BS-III emission standards or lower and diesel vehicles meeting BS-IV standards or lower are prohibited from operating in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.

The restrictions also apply to diesel-operated medium goods vehicles meeting BS-IV emission standards or lower in Delhi.

Additionally, older diesel medium and light goods vehicles registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the national capital.

However, vehicles specially adapted for persons with disabilities and used for their personal transportation have been exempted from these restrictions.

Delhi AQI reaches 382 as weather conditions threaten to worsen pollution

Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382 on Nov 6, according to a Hindustan Times report. The reading placed the national capital in the 'very poor' category, close to the 'severe' threshold.

The Environment Minister cautioned that wind speeds were expected to decline sharply from Saturday. Lower wind speeds could prevent pollutants from dispersing, leaving them concentrated closer to the ground and potentially worsening air quality.

The additional restrictions have been introduced as part of the broader pollution-control measures under GRAP Stage III. Their implementation will continue for as long as the corresponding GRAP measures remain in force.

Residents, parents, and educational institutions have been advised to follow subsequent announcements issued by the CAQM, state governments, and local education authorities regarding changes to the restrictions and school arrangements.