Delhi School News: Air turns toxic in Delhi-NCR after Diwali; will schools remain closed?
Delhi-NCR School Closures: Following Diwali, air quality in Delhi-NCR has once again become a major cause for concern. Driven by smoke from firecrackers, vehicular pollution, and adverse weather conditions, the air quality in the national capital has reached a 'severe' state. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3) across Delhi-NCR. This has begun to impact children's education; a 'hybrid' learning model—combining online and offline classes—has been implemented for students up to the fifth grade in Delhi.
Meanwhile, given the critical pollution levels in November, parents have demanded that schools be closed from November 10 to 15. They point out that sudden decisions regarding school operations are made every November as pollution spikes, which disrupts children's education. Parents argue that the government should proactively establish a calendar for school holidays or the transition to online classes. It should be noted, however, that no official government order has been issued to close all schools between November 10 and 15. Consequently, it is important for parents to understand the regulations for schools under the GRAP-3 framework and to know which grade levels are eligible for the option of studying from home.
Increased Pollution in Delhi's Air Post-Diwali
The impact of firecrackers burst during Diwali is clearly visible in Delhi's air. As firecrackers were set off on Sunday evening, a blanket of smoke and haze descended upon several parts of the capital. On social media, residents reported the smell of smoke from firecrackers in various areas, along with reduced visibility. At 7:00 PM on Sunday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 371, which falls into the 'very poor' category. The average AQI for the entire day stood at 376, compared to 369 recorded on Saturday—indicating that pollution levels on Diwali were higher than the previous day.
GRAP-3 Implemented in Delhi-NCR
In view of the pollution situation in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had implemented the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on November 2. Subsequently, on November 6, the Commission imposed the third stage of restrictions across the entire Delhi-NCR region, effective immediately. The CAQM took this decision because Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI had reached 382 on November 6. Adverse weather conditions were preventing the dispersion of pollutants. Furthermore, forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) indicated that air quality could potentially reach the 'severe' category in the coming days. Under GRAP-3, the restrictions from the first and second stages remain in effect, supplemented by several additional, stricter measures.
Major Decision Regarding Schools: Hybrid Classes up to Grade 5
With rising pollution levels in Delhi, the primary concern is the health of young children. In light of this, the Delhi Directorate of Education has issued a directive for all government and private schools—up to grade 5—to conduct classes in a 'hybrid mode.' This order applies to government, government-aided, and recognized private schools under the Delhi government's Directorate of Education. Additionally, schools under the NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board also fall within the scope of this directive. 'Hybrid mode' means that students will have the option to study through both online and offline channels; parents may choose to send their children to school or have them attend classes online from home. School heads have been instructed to inform parents about this arrangement. Furthermore, the Directorate of Education has directed district and zonal-level officials to visit schools and ensure compliance with the order. It is important to note that the directive for hybrid classes up to grade 5 does not mean a complete closure of schools; the option for offline (in-person) learning remains available.
Will there be a school holiday in Delhi-NCR from November 10 to 15?
As pollution levels rise, there have been demands from parents to declare a school holiday from November 10 to 15. Parents point out that the month of November is particularly challenging in the Delhi-NCR region due to high pollution levels. Consequently, children may face difficulties commuting to and from school in such polluted air. Another concern raised by parents is that decisions regarding schools are often made abruptly whenever pollution spikes—sometimes resulting in school closures, and at other times, a shift to online classes. This disrupts the children's academic schedule and forces parents to make sudden adjustments to their own daily routines. That is why some parents want the government to prepare a school holiday calendar in advance, taking into account the days in November when pollution levels are at their peak. This would ensure that children's education remains organized while also protecting them from having to go out in poor air quality.
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