Schools in Delhi will soon have hybrid classes for some grades with the enforcement of GRAP IV Restrictions.

On Saturday, with the air quality in Delhi aggravating to ‘severe plus,’ the government advised schools to adopt hybrid model learning for students up to class IX and class XI in view of GRAP Stage IV being put in place in all of National Capital Region.

Through a circular issued based on directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region, the Directorate of Education advised all Heads of Schools under the aegis of DoE, NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board, including government, government-aided, and recognized private schools: "To conduct classes in hybrid manner wherever possible. A combination of offline and online classes to minimize exposure of students to life-threatening air."

The above arrangement will come into effect immediately and will continue until further notice.

Schools on Alert Due to Rising Pollution

As of now, authorities have not yet issued a directive to switch to online learning in full capacity, but this move can be attributed to an increase in caution due to the city being blanketed in toxic smog. Based on education authorities, GRAP Stage IV gives schools an option to lessen most people from coming, especially children.

A similar approach had been adopted in schools when they were allowed to switch to a hybrid model of learning for students in higher grades. The authorities indicated they would consider much stricter measures if air quality did not improve in order to make a switch to online learning.

Curbs in emergency reduced in NCR

The commission has issued GRAP Stage IV, which is the most advanced level of control over pollution in this case. As a consequence, a complete ban has been imposed on all non-essential construction and demolition activities in the entire region of Delhi-NCR. Additionally, all functions of stone crushers, brick kilns, hot mix plants, and mining operations have come to a complete halt. A complete shutdown will be initiated in industries using coal, furnace oil, or any other fuel which is not environmentally approved.

The restrictions on traffic have become more stringent with a ban on entering Delhion diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles, with an exception for essential services. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers, considered old models, have been banned. Non-essential inter-state diesel-driven buses, which are not BS-VI standards, have been withdrawn from service.

What remains when restrictions are in place

However, all essential services will be excluded from this shutdown. Metro rail construction, Highways, Airports, defence, healthcare, and sanitation will be permitted with very tight controls over dust levels. Public transport such as Delhi Metro and buses will be available, and electricity, CNG, and BS-VI transport will be allowed. The offices have been advised to cut down on people working in offices and allow work from home to a large extent. Diesel generator sets can be permitted only in essential services such as hospitals, telecommunications, and operations in case of emergencies. As the air quality continues to remain critically poor, people have been advised to stay indoors by authorities, with schools making arrangements for more restrictions if the levels of pollution remain high.