Noida schools to conduct classes up to Class 5 in hybrid mode from Thursday

NOIDA: Schools in Gautam Buddh Nagar district will conduct classes for students up to Class 5 in hybrid mode from Thursday in view of the implementation of Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, officials said on Wednesday. 

The directive, issued by the District Basic Education Officer's office on November 7, applies to all government, government-aided and recognised schools in the district. 

District Basic Education Officer Rahul Pawar said the order was issued in compliance with the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) directions dated November 6, following the implementation of GRAP Stage III in Delhi-NCR. 

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Hybrid mode schools due to rising AQI

Under Clause 8(ii) of the CAQM directions, schools in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar are required to conduct classes up to Class 5 in hybrid mode, allowing students to attend both in-person and online classes wherever the online facility is feasible. 

The directions also allow other NCR state governments to consider adopting the hybrid mode of teaching for students up to Class 5 in their respective areas. 

The district education department has directed school principals and managers to ensure immediate compliance with the order. It has warned that any negligence or violation of the instructions will invite appropriate action against the concerned school as per rules. 

Noida recorded an average 24-hour AQI of 291 while Greater Noida 257, both in 'poor category' from Tuesday 4 pm to Wednesday 4 pm, according to official data. However, real-time AQI at various locations in Noida, like Sector 62 and Sector 1, spiked well beyond 300 also during the period to reach the "very poor" category, which impacts human health.