Delhi DoE implements hybrid classes amid poor air quality

The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all schools in Delhi-NCR to adopt a hybrid mode of teaching for students up to class XII. This decision comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued an order on Monday, mandating educational institutes in Delhi and surrounding districts — Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar — to offer both physical and online classes.

The CAQM’s directive allows students to choose whether to attend classes in person or virtually, depending on their preference or the feasibility of online learning in their areas. The decision is part of the efforts to ensure that students’ education is not disrupted due to the ongoing air pollution crisis while also considering public health concerns.

The DoE’s notification, which applies to all government, aided, and private schools, emphasises that schools under the jurisdiction of NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board must immediately comply with the hybrid model. Similarly, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has also reinforced that parents and guardians should have the discretion to decide their children’s attendance mode.

This move follows the easing of restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III and IV, which were earlier implemented to combat severe air pollution. The decision aligns with a Supreme Court directive on November 25 in the MC Mehta vs. Union of India case, which called for a balance between protecting students’ health and ensuring uninterrupted access to education.

Despite the clear directives, some parents have expressed concerns on social media, reporting that several schools are not yet following the hybrid format, raising questions about the enforcement of the new measures.