Delhi Schools Shift to Hybrid Classes as GRAP Stage 4 Enforced Amid Severe Air Pollution

As Delhi continues to reel under severely toxic air quality, the government has enforced Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in an urgent effort to curb worsening pollution levels across the National Capital Region.

With the stricter curbs coming into force, Delhi schools have not been shut entirely. Instead, classes for several grades have shifted to a hybrid mode, allowing both physical and online attendance.

According to a circular issued by the Delhi Directorate of Education (DDE) on December 13, schools have been directed to conduct classes in a hybrid format — combining in-person and online teaching, wherever online facilities are available.

“All Heads of Schools of Government, Government Aided, Unaided Recognized Private Schools of DOE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class IX and XI in a ‘Hybrid Mode’ i.e. both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders,” the circular stated.

Are Delhi schools open today?

• All schools under the Delhi Directorate of Education, including government, government-aided and unaided private schools, remain open.

• Classes up to Class 9 and Class 11 are to be conducted in hybrid mode, wherever feasible.

• Students and parents or guardians can choose between attending classes physically or online.

• Schools run by the NDMC, MCD and the Delhi Cantonment Board are also covered under the directive.

• Opting for online classes is voluntary, the DDE clarified.

Heads of schools have been instructed to immediately inform parents and guardians about the revised arrangements.

GRAP Stage 4 imposed as air quality worsens

The decision follows the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage 4 of GRAP with immediate effect after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the ‘severe’ category.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, Delhi’s AQI stood at 462 at 6 am on Sunday.

Under GRAP Stage 4, all restrictions under Stage 3 remain in force, along with additional stringent measures to control pollution. These include a complete ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. Trucks running on LNG, CNG, electricity and BS-VI diesel are exempt from the ban.