Delhi schools will conduct classes for students in Classes 9 and 11 in a hybrid mode , combining online and physical learning. The Delhi Directorate of Education issued the directive on Saturday following a significant worsening of air quality in the national capital. This move implements Stage-IV actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) , ordered by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
School Operations Shift
The order mandates both physical and online classes wherever feasible. This applies to government, government-aided, and unaided recognised private schools. Institutions under the Directorate of Education, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Delhi Cantonment Board must comply. The hybrid learning arrangement will continue until further directives.
Air Quality Reaches Record High
Saturday recorded the year’s worst air quality. Official data showed the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 431 . This surpassed the previous high of 428 recorded on November 11 . The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported these figures. The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts the AQI will remain in the ‘severe’ category on Sunday.
GRAP Stage-IV Invoked
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked GRAP Stage-IV with immediate effect. This decision aims to curb further escalation of air pollution levels across Delhi-NCR. GRAP outlines a series of escalating measures based on air quality levels. Stage-IV represents the highest level of emergency action. It mandates stringent restrictions to protect public health during severe pollution episodes.
Work-from-Home Directives Issued
The government also issued directives impacting office operations across Delhi. These measures aim to reduce vehicular emissions and overall pollution exposure.
Government Offices
All administrative secretaries and heads of departments must attend office regularly. However, physical staff strength for other employees is capped at 50 percent . The remaining 50 percent of staff must work from home. Exceptions apply to officers and officials called to office to ensure essential and emergency public services remain uninterrupted.
Private Establishments
Private offices operating within Delhi are also subject to similar restrictions. They must function with no more than 50 percent staff physically attending the workplace. The remaining staff must mandatorily work from home. Private entities are urged to implement staggered working hours where feasible. They must ensure strict compliance with work-from-home norms. Minimizing vehicular movement related to office commutes is also a key instruction.
Essential Services Exempted
Certain critical services are exempt from these work-from-home mandates. These include:
- Hospitals and other public/private health establishments
- Fire Services
- Prisons
- Public Transport
- Electricity, Water, Sanitation, and related municipal services
- Disaster management and related services
- Forest and environment departments/agencies engaged in air pollution control, monitoring, and enforcement activities (e.g., teams for biomass burning, dust control, GRAP measures)
- Other essential/emergency services
Previous Anti-Pollution Measures
The CAQM had previously invoked Stage-III restrictions under GRAP. Those measures included a shift to hybrid classes for students up to Class V . A ban on construction and demolition activities was also part of Stage-III. These earlier restrictions were imposed when pollution levels initially spiked due to unfavorable meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR.