Source The Hindu
NEW DELHI: December 15, 2025 — The Delhi government has issued a fresh directive to all schools in the capital, ordering a complete shift from hybrid learning to fully online classes for students up to Class 5. The decision, announced today, comes in the wake of a sharp and sustained deterioration in air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining firmly in the ‘Severe’ category.
Physical classes for students from Nursery to Class 5 in all government, government-aided, and private recognized schools have been discontinued until further notice. Schools have been mandated to conduct classes for these junior grades exclusively through the online mode.
⚠️ Health Concerns Drive Decision
The move is a direct response to the escalating health crisis caused by the toxic air, which poses a significant risk, especially to young children.
“Due to the increased AQI in Delhi, offline classes for students from nursery to class 5 have been suspended. Online classes will be mandatory for these grades until further notice,” read the official circular from the Directorate of Education (DoE).
The capital’s air quality has been alarming, with the overall AQI hovering well above the 400-mark, classified as ‘Severe’ by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Anand Vihar and Wazirpur have consistently recorded AQI levels near the 500-mark, indicating a hazardous environment.
📚 Hybrid Model Continues for Senior Grades
While primary students move to mandatory online learning, classes for students in Classes 6 to 9 and Class 11 will continue to operate in the hybrid mode, as per previous instructions issued by the Education Department. The hybrid model allows students and guardians the choice between attending physical classes or opting for online lessons, wherever feasible. Classes 10 and 12 are generally excluded from such arrangements due to board examination considerations.
The decision follows the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) earlier this week, an emergency measure triggered when the AQI crosses the ‘Severe+’ threshold of 450. GRAP-IV imposes strict curbs across sectors, including construction, transport, and industrial activity, to mitigate pollution levels.
📍 NCR Regions Follow Suit
Neighbouring districts in the National Capital Region (NCR) have taken similar pre-emptive steps. The Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) and Ghaziabad administrations have also ordered fully online classes for students up to Class 5, with hybrid learning continuing for higher grades.
School heads across Delhi have been instructed to immediately inform parents and ensure the smooth transition to virtual learning to minimize disruption to the academic calendar.
