Delhi Directorate of Education orders hybrid learning up to class 5 as toxic air triggers GRAP-3

All recognised public, private, and aided institutions in Delhi have been instructed to adopt a hybrid education system. While the decision has been taken due to the orders given by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) of Delhi where the air quality is deteriorating just before Diwali continuously for some days.

Implementation of hybrid education

The notification is applicable for all educational institutions present in the National Capital Region area.

Applicability of notification: The notification applies to all government public institutions, government-aided institutions, and recognised unaided private institutions, including other schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board.

Choice of parents: The management of the school must provide its students with online education options along with physical classes, thus allowing the students’ parents to choose the mode of education.

Implementation of the GRAP-3 rule: The shift toward hybrid classes comes as a result of the implementation of the guidelines established by the law concerning air pollution control set for Stage 3.

GRAP-3 was enforced because Delhi’s AQI reached 382. The local air stations have recorded AQI levels above 400.

Under GRAP-3 rules, education departments retain the authority to halt physical primary schooling or transition younger students into virtual learning frameworks to reduce exposure to ground-level particulate matter.

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