Delhi AQI worsens; GRAP 4 implemented, no physical classes for students up to IX and XI

New Delhi: Amid worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR and the enforcement of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Delhi Government has ordered all schools to suspend physical classes for all students, except those in Classes 10 and 12, 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 ensure that the physical classes for all students upto class IX and class XI is to be discontinued from Monday until further orders.

The Heads of Schools are also directed to ensure classes in online mode for the students of these classes till further orders. Further, physical classes for students of class X & class XII will continue as usual. They are further directed to disseminate this information among parents of the students for the above classes immediately.

“The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas has decided that in view of the AQI in Delhi & NCR is expected to remain in adverse range, all actions as envisaged under Stage IV of the GRAP -'Severe Plus' Air Quality be implemented with effect from 8 A.M. of 18th November in the National Capital Region (NCR),” the DoE stated in its order.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi had tweeted, “With the imposition of GRAP-4 from Monday, physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12. All schools will hold online classes, until further orders.”