Delhi: All schools to shift to hybrid mode except Classes 10, 12 amid sharp dip in air quality

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) Wednesday directed all schools to conduct hybrid classes for students up to except for Classes 10 and 12 after curbs under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan were invoked in the city amid a sharp dip in air quality.

In accordance with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) order to implement GRAP-IV in Delhi-NCR, the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued an order to conduct classes in hybrid mode for students of up to classes 9 and 11.

The Delhi DoE order read: “All heads 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 9 and 11 in a 'hybrid mode' i.e., both in physical and online mode.” The circular directed all schools to conduct "classes in hybrid mode wherever online learning is feasible, effective immediately until further notice"

Calm winds, low temperatures and foggy conditions allowed the accumulation of pollutants in the region, with the air quality index soaring from 275 on Tuesday to 396 at 6 pm on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predicted that AQI may breach the 400 mark soon.

Stage 4 curbs include a ban on all construction activities, entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi , and mandatory shifting of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.

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Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, while Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-run heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for essential services under Stage 4.

During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorizes air quality into four stages – Stage 1 (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).

In Gautam Buddha Nagar, classes of all boards will be conducted from 10 am. The decision was taken in view of the cold, the official circular read.

(With inputs from PTI)