Delhi-NCR Schools Go Hybrid for Classes Up to 5 Amid High Pollution Levels

Schools across Delhi-NCR will move to a hybrid mode for classes up to Class 5 as the central government has enforced Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following a sharp rise in air pollution levels.

According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the decision comes after Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed from 362 on Monday to 425 on Tuesday morning, entering the ‘severe’ category. The overall air quality in the region now falls between the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ ranges, with the AQI breaching the 350 mark.

Under GRAP Stage 3 restrictions, schools in Delhi-NCR will adopt hybrid learning for students up to Class 5, allowing them to choose between online and physical classes. Schools for higher grades will continue functioning in the offline mode. Parents and students have been advised to stay in touch with school authorities for specific updates.

In addition to the school measures, the government has also urged private offices to switch to work from home or hybrid work formats. This step aims to reduce vehicular movement and limit exposure to toxic air.

Stage 3 of GRAP also brings several restrictions to curb pollution, including bans on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and adjoining NCR districts, except for vehicles used by persons with disabilities. Non-essential construction and demolition activities have been halted, and the use of diesel generator sets is restricted, except for essential and emergency services. The entry and operation of inter-state diesel buses in Delhi have also been prohibited.

What is GRAP?

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a multi-stage framework designed to tackle air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. It outlines a series of measures to be taken based on the severity of air quality.

The plan divides air quality into four stages:

• Stage I (Poor): AQI 201–300
• Stage II (Very Poor): AQI 301–400
• Stage III (Severe): AQI 401–450
• Stage IV (Severe Plus): AQI above 450