Delhi Air Pollution: Schools to switch to hybrid mode as GRAP Stage IV restrictions are reintroduced

Delhi Schools Adopt Hybrid Model Amid Alarming Air Pollution Levels

In response to the worsening air quality in Delhi, the government has reintroduced Stage IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), prompting schools to switch to a hybrid mode of education. This comes as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital remains firmly in the "severe" category, raising health concerns for students and residents alike.

Under the hybrid model, schools have been directed to conduct both online and offline classes, allowing parents to choose the mode of attendance for their children. While this measure aims to protect students from exposure to hazardous air, parents and educators face a new set of challenges in balancing education and safety.

“We are prioritizing the health of our students, but the situation is far from ideal. Many children struggle to focus during online classes, and the prolonged exposure to screens is another concern,” said Meena Sharma, a principal at a government school in South Delhi.

The reintroduction of GRAP Stage IV restrictions includes halting construction activities, banning entry of non-essential vehicles, and shutting down industrial units that do not comply with pollution norms. However, for families with school-going children, the shift to hybrid education has brought mixed reactions.

“I worry about my child’s health if he goes to school in such bad air, but keeping him home isn’t easy either. Online classes don’t offer the same learning experience,” said Ankit Gupta, a parent of a Class 7 student.

Environmental experts warn that while immediate measures like hybrid schooling help mitigate the impact, long-term solutions are crucial. “The air quality crisis in Delhi is a recurring problem. Unless we tackle the root causes like vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and crop stubble burning, these emergency measures will only be temporary band-aids,” said Dr. Rajiv Mishra, an environmental scientist.

Meanwhile, students have expressed their own frustrations. “I miss meeting my friends and playing outside during breaks. Online classes feel very isolating,” said 12-year-old Ananya, a Class 6 student.

The Delhi government has urged residents to cooperate by using public transport, carpooling, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak pollution hours. Schools are expected to operate in hybrid mode until the AQI shows sustained improvement.

As the city battles this annual pollution crisis, the hybrid schooling model is a reminder of the growing challenges climate change and urbanization pose to the lives of everyday citizens. For Delhi’s youngest residents, the polluted air has not only disrupted their studies but also their childhoods.