“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 Governments in the NCR and GNCTD shall ensure that all classes up to 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 order read.
“The option to exercise online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians,” it added.
The CAQM order came after the Supreme Court called for a review of restrictions imposed on physical classes due to air pollution in the national capital.
In Delhi and several other cities across north India, poor air quality usually persists for several months during the winter season, especially from November to January.
During this time, the AQI levels in the national capital often lead to strict restrictions under the third and fourth stages of GRAP.
On Tuesday, November, the overall air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 392 in the ‘very poor’ category at 9 am.
The CAQM, in its statement, noted several primary schools in the Delhi-NCR region lacked the resources to conduct classes entirely online. Further, it stated that Classes 10 and 12 students as well as their school authorities are the hardest hit by the stage-4 restrictions under GRAP as they are required to attend physical classes for practical lessons as well as tests and extra tutorials needed for board and other competitive exams.
As a result, the central panel asked the state governments to ensure that classes up to 12th standard along with college and other educational institution classes are held in “hybrid” mode wherever feasible.
The order applies to Delhi as well as NCR districts of Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
This came after the top court asked the CAQM to consider restarting the physical classes in Delhi and NCR region, stating that students are being deprived of mid-day meals, besides lacking the wherewithal to attend virtual classes.
