In response to the alarming deterioration of air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR), which has triggered the enforcement of Stage-IV (Severe Plus) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued urgent instructions for all schools in the region.
The directive mandates a shift to a hybrid mode of learning for most classes, effective immediately, to minimize students' exposure to the hazardous pollution levels.
Hybrid Mode for Classes 1 to 9 and Class 11
The new guidelines apply to all Government, Government-aided, and Unaided Recognised Private Schools, as well as those run by NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
Classes Affected: Students up to Class IX (9) and Class XI (11) must now have their classes conducted in a hybrid mode, which includes both physical (in-person) and online teaching, wherever feasible.
Parental Choice: The DoE has explicitly stated that the option to attend classes online, where the facility is available, will rest entirely with the students and their parents or guardians.
Immediate Action: School heads have been instructed to inform parents immediately about the shift to the hybrid learning model and ensure compliance with the order until further notice.
New Guidelines for Class 10 and 12 Students
Crucially, students of Class 10 and Class 12 have been largely excluded from this mandatory hybrid arrangement.
Physical Classes Continue: Classes for students of Class X (10) and Class XII (12) are generally expected to continue being held in physical mode at the schools.
Reason for Exemption: This exemption is primarily due to the proximity of their crucial Board Examinations. Authorities prioritize physical attendance and academic continuity for these final-year students, often subject to separate health advisories and school-level preparedness checks.
The implementation of the hybrid model reflects the Delhi government’s attempt to strike a necessary balance between safeguarding the health of young learners—particularly sensitive to toxic air—and ensuring academic activities continue uninterrupted during the recurring pollution crisis. The measures will remain in force until the air quality shows a sustained improvement and the GRAP restrictions are eased by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
