Gurugram, Faridabad Schools go hybrid amid Severe Air Pollution in NCR

The decision to shift Gurugram, Faridabad schools hybrid is effective immediately, will continue until further notice as a measure to ensure the health and safety of students amidst the hazardous air quality.

In light of the escalating air pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Haryana school education department has issued an immediate directive requiring all government and private schools in Gurugram, Faridabad, and other cities to switch to hybrid mode for students up to Class 9 and 11. This decision, effective immediately, will continue until further notice as a measure to ensure the health and safety of students amidst the hazardous air quality.

Hybrid Classes Introduced Amid Stage-IV Air Pollution Action

The move comes after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage-IV actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which aims to mitigate the hazardous air quality in NCR. The CAQM has issued a formal directive, urging all government and private schools in the districts of Faridabad and Gurugram to adopt hybrid learning formats, combining both physical and online classes where feasible.

The official CAQM notice emphasized that all agencies in NCR must adhere to Stage-IV actions, ensuring that schools in Faridabad and Gurugram implement hybrid classes to minimize exposure to poor air quality for students. “All Heads of Schools in Faridabad and Gurugram are directed to conduct classes for children up to Class IX and XI in a Hybrid Mode,” the CAQM notice stated.

Communication with Parents and Guardians

To ensure effective implementation of the decision, school authorities have been instructed to immediately communicate this new instruction to the parents and guardians of students. This is a vital step in keeping families informed about the changes and ensuring that students can continue their education with minimal disruption.

Further Actions Under the GRAP Plan

This shift to hybrid classes is part of a broader strategy under the revised GRAP, which includes actions at various stages to combat air pollution. While Stage-IV focuses on stringent measures like switching to hybrid learning, earlier stages (Stage-I to Stage-III) have already been in effect since early December, targeting specific actions to reduce pollution levels in the region.

The hybrid classes, which combine both online and physical attendance (wherever possible), are intended to ensure that students can continue their academic progress without compromising their health due to air pollution.

Impact on Schools and Students

This decision marks a significant step in protecting students' well-being during the winter months, when air pollution levels are at their peak. Students up to Class 9 and 11 in the affected districts will now benefit from a more flexible learning environment, where they can attend classes remotely when necessary while still being part of the school curriculum.

As air pollution continues to be a pressing concern in NCR, it is expected that these measures will be extended to other districts if the air quality does not improve.

For further updates, parents, students, and school authorities are advised to stay in touch with their respective schools and follow the instructions provided by the Haryana school education department.

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