Air Pollution: Classes VI-IX, XI in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad & Noida to run in hybrid mode

In light of the worsening air quality, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) announced on Mondaythat classes for students in grades VI-IX and XI in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida will be conducted in hybrid mode. The decision follows the implementation of Stage IV ('Severe+') of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was triggered due to the rising Air Quality Index (AQI) in the region.

The move is a continuation of the measures introduced earlier this week. On Monday, in response to GRAP III restrictions, the DoE had directed all schools, including government, private, and aided institutions, to adopt hybrid classes for students up to Class V. The circular specified that online learning should be implemented wherever feasible until further notice.

The air quality in Delhi has significantly worsened, with the AQI reaching 379 on Monday, placing it in the "very poor" category. This marks a sharp increase from Sunday’s AQI of 294, which was in the "poor" range.


The situation prompted the authorities to implement stricter measures, including restrictions on vehicles that do not meet the required emission standards. Under Stage III of GRAP, petrol vehicles not meeting BS-III norms and diesel vehicles failing to meet BS-IV standards are now banned from entering Delhi.

This is not the first time schools in the capital have shifted to hybrid mode due to air pollution. A similar move was made on November 25, when all schools switched to hybrid mode, and in-person classes resumed on December 5. With the ongoing air quality crisis, schools are expected to continue these arrangements to safeguard the health and well-being of students.