Delhi Govt announces hybrid classes for Primary Students amid GRAP-III restrictions

Delhi government has issued orders to conduct classes up to grade 5 in hybrid manner amid increasing air pollution and implementation of Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Delhi Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in video message on Friday that schools up to grade 5 in Delhi will conduct classes in hybrid mode. The order is applicable on five major Delhi NCR districts i.e.- Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonipat.

Students of up to grade 5 can join schools if facilities are available or can join online classes. Parents/guardians can also choose online classes.

“All schools catering to students up to Grade 5 must operate in a hybrid mode. These regulations also extend to NCR cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Sonipat.”

The CAQM had imposed Stage III restrictions under the GRAP as the pollution levels in Delhi NCR region touched hazardous levels. The AQI in Delhi stood at 382 on Friday which falls under very poor category and approaching severe levels.

Sirsa also appealed to people to follow the restrictions imposed under GRAP-III. He said that wind speed will reduce from Saturday and pollutants will accumulate closer to ground level, causing increased pollution.

Hybrid classes will be conducted, but in addition to this, Stage III of GRAP also imposes strict restrictions on vehicles.