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Delhi-NCR school news for pollution tomorrow : As the air quality in Delhi-NCR remained in the "severe" category on Sunday amid the imposition of Graded
Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV in the national capital and its neighbouring areas, the students and parents are confused whether schools and colleges will be opened or closed on Monday, December 15 or will it be conducted in a hybrid mode.
Delhi-NCR schools news for pollution tomorrow: Schools closed or open on Monday?
As per the direction of the Delhi Government's Directorate of Education, schools up to Class 5 and Classes 6 to 11 will hold classes in hybrid mode, while Classes 10 and 12 were excluded from the arrangement. All the schools in the region have been asked to minimise physical attendance and continue lessons through a combination of online and offline modes.
Delhi govt directs all schools to conduct classes up to IX, XI in hybrid mode
Earlier on Saturday, the Delhi Government's Directorate of Education directed all schools to conduct classes upto IX, and XI in hybrid mode after Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened.
This order was issued in compliance with the restriction imposed by the CAQM under Stage IV of GRAP in the national capital.
"All Heads of Schools of Government, Government Aided, Unaided Recognized Private Schools of DOE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class IX and Xl in a 'Hybrid' Mode i.e. both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders," the circular read.
The Directorate of Education stated that the option "to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians," it said.
All Heads of Schools have been directed to disseminate this information to the parents and guardians of the students immediately, the circular said.
"All DDE (Zone/ Districts) are also requested to visit schools under their jurisdiction to ensure smooth compliance of the above directions," the circular added.
CAQM invokes Stage IV of GRAP
The decision was taken as CAQM invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the Air Quality Index (AQI) neared the 'Severe Plus' mark at 450 on Saturday.
According to the order released by CAQM, the AQI of Delhi, which was recorded as 431 today at 4 PM, exhibited an increasing trend and has been recorded as 446 at 6 PM on the date owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants.
"Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP - 'Severe+' Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of extant GRAP already in force in NCR," the order stated.
The GRAP IV restriction prohibits BS-IV truck traffic into Delhi, except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services. All LNG/ CNG / Electric/ BS-VI Diesel trucks shall be permitted to enter Delhi.
The CAQM directed the government to enforce a ban on plying of Delhi-registered diesel-operated BS-IV and below Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities providing essential services.
"Ban C&D activities, as in the GRAP Stage-III, also for linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, tele-communication etc," CAQM said in the order.
The CAQM also advised the children, elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible. If required to move outdoors, they are advised to wear a mask.
Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution–GRAP IV: From schools to trucks to BS4 vehicles, what restricted in capital after CAQM imposes strictest curbs - Details here
Delhi-NCR Pollution News: AQI today
The national capital recorded the highest AQI of the season on Sunday -- up to 461 from 432 a day earlier -- as the air quality remained in the "severe" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an Air Quality Index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor' and 401 and 500 'severe'.
On the weather front, the minimum temperature settled at 8.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 0.4 notch below the season's average, and the maximum temperature recorded at 24 degrees Celsius.
The relative humidity was 87 per cent at 5.30 pm, the India Meteorological Department said.
Environmentalist Bhavreen Khandari said the current actions are reactive, emphasising that long-term improvement depends on present systemic policy decisions.
Pointing to massive construction, she stressed the need to address resource and staffing deficiencies in government bodies.
The weather department has forecast moderate fog for Monday, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 23 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius respectively.
(With inputs from agencies)
