Delhi schools to go hybrid under GRAP Stage 3, Classes 1-5 affected

Schools up to Class 5 in Delhi will have to conduct classes in hybrid mode following the implementation of Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced. The mandatory arrangement will also apply to schools in Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram and Sonipat, he said.

In a video shared by news agency ANI, Sirsa said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had implemented GRAP Stage 3 with effect from that day. He announced that schools up to Class 5 must offer classes in both online and offline modes.

“All schools up to the fifth grade are required to operate in a hybrid mode; this is mandatory,” Sirsa said in the video shared by ANI. 

The minister said the restrictions would remain in effect for as long as GRAP Stage 3 measures continued. However, his announcement did not specify a separate date for the hybrid-class arrangement to end.

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Delhi School News: Minister warns of worsening air quality

Explaining the decision, Sirsa said air quality in Delhi was expected to deteriorate further from the following day as wind speeds were likely to fall to nearly zero.

Citing the Meteorological Department's forecast, he said stagnant air could lead to a further increase in the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Sirsa urged residents to cooperate with the restrictions and follow the measures introduced to control air pollution.

Other GRAP Stage 3 restrictions in Delhi-NCR

Along with the school-related restrictions, Sirsa announced a ban on diesel vehicles meeting BS-IV emission standards or lower and petrol vehicles meeting BS-III standards or lower in Delhi, irrespective of where they are registered.

He also said heavy vehicles and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) running on diesel and meeting BS-IV standards or lower would not be allowed to operate.

According to the minister, these restrictions also apply to Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram and Sonipat.