Following the Supreme Court's call for a review of restrictions on physical classes due to air pollution, the Centre's air quality panel instructed schools and colleges in Delhi-NCR on Monday to switch to a "hybrid" mode for classes up to 12th standard.
Poor air quality, exacerbated by unfavorable weather conditions, typically lasts for extended periods during winter, from November to January.
During this season, Delhi frequently experiences air quality levels that trigger strict measures under the third and fourth stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which severely disrupt the education system and impact the quality of learning.
In a statement, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) noted that most primary schools in Delhi and other National Capital Region (NCR) areas lack the resources to conduct classes entirely online.
It said the students of Classes 10 and 12, along with their school authorities, are the hardest hit by the stage-4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These students are required to attend physical classes for practical lessons, tests and extra tutorials needed for board and competitive examinations, it said.
The panel directed the state governments to ensure that all classes up to standard 12 as well as college and other educational institution classes are conducted in a "hybrid" mode -- both physical and online -- wherever feasible. This applies to the NCT of Delhi and the NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
"The option to exercise an online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians," it said.
It said the state governments may also consider conducting classes in a hybrid mode in all other areas in the NCR.
However, it also said the choice of online education, wherever available, should rest with the students and their guardians.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court asked the CAQM to consider restarting physical classes in schools and colleges in the NCR and adjoining areas, noting that students are being deprived of mid-day meals and lack the wherewithal to attend virtual classes.
However, the court declined to relax the GRAP stage-4 anti-pollution restrictions, emphasising that the curbs could only be eased if there was a consistent decrease in AQI levels.
The restrictions on physical classes in schools and colleges were imposed recently due to severe air pollution.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed the heads of the government, government-aided, unaided, recognised and private schools of the DoE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board to conduct classes in the hybrid mode after the CAQM's order.
"All the heads of schools are hereby further directed to disseminate this information to the parents and guardians of the students immediately," it said.
AQI ‘very poor’ category
At 7 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 382, falling under the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
A dense layer of smog enveloped the National Capital, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas remaining in the 'Very Poor' category.
Despite the smog, train services continued operating near New Delhi Railway Station.
For the past 4-5 days, the city's AQI has been in the 'Severe Plus' category, indicating hazardous air quality.
AQI levels are categorized as follows: 0-50 (Good), 51-100 (Satisfactory), 101-200 (Moderate), 201-300 (Poor), 301-400 (Very Poor), and 401-500 (Severe).
