Will Delhi-NCR Schools Shift Online After GRAP III? Latest Updates

Will Delhi-NCR Schools Shift Online After GRAP III: The Commission for Air Quality Management has invoked GRAP III in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) on account of a sharp rise in pollution levels accompanying a cold wave.

Now that the GRAP III has come into place and is active across Delhi and the surrounding areas, the biggest question remains: How will schools function now?

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According to the CAQM notification, NCR states and Delhi governments will compulsorily conduct school classes for children up to fifth standard in a 'hybrid' mode, that is both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible), in the territorial jurisdiction of Delhi and in districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar.

The CAQM stated that “the NCR state governments may also consider conducting classes for students up to Class V in a “Hybrid” mode as above in other areas in NCR.”

However, the air quality panel underlined that the option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians.

GRAP-III enforced in Delhi-NCR

Delhi's AQI recorded 367 at 2 pm. Poor air quality, often sustained between November and January on account of adverse weather conditions.

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"Considering the highly unfavourable meteorological conditions including calm winds and very low mixing height leading the AQI of Delhi into the higher end of the very poor category, the panel's sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan decides to impose stage 3 of the revised GRAP schedule (issued on Friday) in the entire NCR, with immediate effect," an official order said.

GRAP III restrictions also bar all non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older norms from plying within Delhi. Non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles of BS-IV or older standards, registered outside Delhi, are also barred from entering the city. These previous restrictions applied only to vehicles with BS-iii norms.

Delhi and NCR state governments are instructed for staggered timings of public offices and municipal bodies under stage III. The central government may also adopt this measure for its offices in Delhi-NCR.

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