New Delhi, Nov 15 (Agency) With the worsening air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), and the implementation of the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Delhi Government on Thursday directed all primary schools to shift classes to online mode until further notice. Issuing an order, the Directorate of Education directed all heads of Government, Government-Aided, and Unaided Private Recognized Schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) to discontinue physical classes for children up to Class V.
The heads of these schools were instructed to ensure that classes are conducted online for students in these grades until further notice. They were also advised to immediately inform parents of the affected students. “The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas has decided that because of the AQI in Delhi and NCR ranging between 401-450, all measures as envisaged under Stage-III of the GRAP—’Severe’ Air Quality—will be implemented with effect from 8:00 AM on November 15, 2024, in the National Capital Region (NCR) due to the poor air quality in the city,” the DoE stated in its order. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi tweeted, “Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes until further directions.”