New Delhi: Hours after the Supreme Court asked the Centre’s air quality panel to decide on resuming physical classes in schools, the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) has allowed hybrid mode of classes in schools across Delhi-NCR. The air quality panel has relaxed certain restrictions under Stage-III and Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
In an official order, the CAQM said, "Clause 11 of GRAP Stage-III, Clause 5 of GRAP Stage-IV and Clause 8 of GRAP Stage-IV (to the extent it relates to colleges / educational institutions) are relaxed to the extent that State Govts. in the NCR and the GNCTD shall ensure that all classes upto 12th Standard in schools and those in colleges / educational institutions are conducted in a "Hybrid" mode i.e., both in "physical" and also in an "online" mode, wherever online mode is feasible, in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar in the NCR. The option to exercise online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians."
Delhi's air quality went from 'severe' to 'very poor' as AQI reading improved to 318 on Monday. The Supreme Court pulled the city government and police for a "serious lapse" in implementing GRAP curbs. The top court expressed concerns over online classes adding that children are missing mid-day meals, lack of facilities to attend virtual classes and may fall behind in terms of studies.
The judges, however, put the responsibility on CAQM to take a decision on the resumption of classes. Going by the order, the air quality panel ordered to conduct a hybrid mode of classes in schools across Delhi-NCR.
Seven of the 38 air quality-monitoring stations in Delhi reported AQI levels in the "severe" category at 5:30 pm, with the number rising to 14 at 7 pm, a PTI report added.