Delhi Schools Shift To “Hybrid Mode” Following Top Court’s Order

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Monday directed the government, private, and civic body-run schools to conduct classes in “hybrid mode.” The decision came after the Supreme Court’s direction on reopening physical classes in schools and colleges across Delhi-NCR.

The court noted, citing the lack of air purifiers in most homes, there was no significant difference between children staying at home or attending school. Further, the top court also raised concern over students missing midday meals and their ability to fully access the virtual classes due to limited resources.

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A notification issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of Delhi read, “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 Govts in the NCR and GNCTD shall ensure that all classes upto 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 option to exercise online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians.”

On Monday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) permitted the educational institutions to operate classes in a “hybrid” format, allowing students to attend either in person or online.

Announcing the decision, CAQM stated, “All classes up to 12th standard in schools and those in colleges/educational institutions are to be conducted in a ‘Hybrid’ mode, i.e., both in ‘physical’ and ‘online’ mode, wherever online mode is feasible.”

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Last Friday, an application was filed by the parents of the children belonging to marginalised sections and special needs seeking the resumption of physical classes. They said that many families belonging to the lower strata of society do not have access to the internet and electronic gadgets, which would halt them from attending the online classes.

Meanwhile, the air quality in the region remained alarming on Monday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a reading soaring to 349 from 318.