Delhi schools have been directed to conduct classes up to Class 5 in hybrid mode after worsening air quality prompted the implementation of Stage III measures under the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR.
The directive, issued by the Delhi Directorate of Education on Friday, applies to all government, government-aided and unaided recognised private schools under its jurisdiction. It also covers schools run by the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
Under the arrangement, students up to Class 5 can attend classes either in person or online. The Directorate has instructed school heads to immediately inform parents and guardians about the hybrid-mode arrangement.
The decision was taken in compliance with an order issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management, which invoked all actions under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan with immediate effect across Delhi-NCR. The Stage III measures were imposed on Friday as air pollution levels deteriorated in the region.
Delhi’s air quality was in the “very poor” category on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index reading of 364, according to the Sameer App cited in the report. The directive places responsibility on schools to make both attendance options available for younger students while the pollution-control measures remain in force.
The order covers schools across the Directorate of Education’s administrative network, including government and private institutions. It also requires district and zonal Deputy Directors of Education to visit schools under their jurisdiction and ensure that the directions are implemented smoothly.
The school directive adds an education-related operational measure to the wider restrictions introduced under Stage III of GRAP. Its immediate effect is to allow families of children up to Class 5 to choose between physical attendance and online participation, while school authorities coordinate the arrangements and communicate them to parents and guardians.
