The Commission for the Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday ordered that state governments in the Delhi-NCR shall ensure that all classes up to 12th standard are conducted in a “Hybrid” mode.

The commission noted that the primary schools in Delhi and also those in other areas of NCR do not have capabilities or access to conducting classes purely in an online mode.

The Air Quality panel’s order comes hours after the Supreme Court asked the commission to consider restarting physical classes in schools and colleges stating that many students lacked mid-day meals and infrastructure to attend online classes.

The top court, however, refused to relax the anti-pollution GRAP-4 restrictions in Delhi-NCR and said unless it was satisfied that there was a consistent decrease in AQI levels, it could not order curbs below GRAP-3 or GRAP-2.

Schools prep for the resumption of physical classes

Soon after the Supreme Court’s directive, schools across Delhi-NCR stepped up efforts to protect students’ health if physical classes are resumed.

Schools suggested wearing masks and minimising outdoor activities for students, among other measures, to avoid any health risks linked to air pollution