DoE cancels hybrid mode in Delhi, asks all schools to resume physical classes ‘with immediate effect’

NEW DELHI: A day after instructing schools in the national capital to shift to hybrid mode, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has now asked all Delhi schools to resume physical classes ‘with immediate effect’. The move comes after the centre's panel on Delhi-NCR's air quality Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) rolled back GRAP-IV.

The DoE circular read: “In all schools are to be held in physical mode with immediate effect. All the Heads of Schools are hereby directed to disseminate this information among students, staff members and parents of the students.”

It further informed all government, government-aided, unaided recognized private schools of DoE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board schools that the previous circular on conducting classes in both physical and online mode has been revoked. As per the earlier order, all schools were asked to conduct classes, except Class 10 and 12, in hybrid mode.

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“Upon improvement in AQI of Delhi on 16.01.2025 to a level of 302, the Sub-Committee revoked Stage IV. However, only as a matter of precaution, considering the uncertainties in the model predictions and abrupt fluctuations in the meteorological factors, StageIII of GRAP was continued and it was decided that the situation will be reviewed subsequently,” the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas said.

The Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP during winter season, which categorizes air quality into four stages – Stage 1 (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).