Hold classes in hybrid, online mode, schools in Noida, Greater Noida told

As per the notification, classes from pre-nursery to Class 5 will be held entirely in online mode, while students of Classes 6 to 9 and Class 10 will follow a hybrid model.

Poor air quality in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Noida and Greater Noida schools are mandated to shift to hybrid and online classes from December 14. (File)

Schools in Noida and Greater Noida, which come under the Gautam Buddha Nagar district, have been directed to conduct classes only in hybrid and online mode amid deteriorating air quality, with authorities citing serious health concerns for students as pollution levels in the district slipped into the severe-pluscategory.

“In view of the adverse impact on the health of students, and in compliance with directions issued by the District Magistrate, Gautam Buddha Nagar, following the implementation of Stage IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), classes across all schools and coaching centres in the district shall be conducted in online or hybrid mode from December 14 until further orders,” the District Education Officer said in a notification dated December 14.

The order applies to all schools recognised and affiliated to the Basic Education Council as well as other boards, including the UP Secondary Education Council, CBSE, ICSE, Sanskrit Education Council, Madrasa Board and other boards operating in the district.

As per the notification, classes from pre-nursery to Class 5 will be held entirely in online mode, while students of Classes 6 to 9 and Class 10 will follow a hybrid model. “Schools may conduct physical classes alongside online classes wherever the latter is feasible,” the order stated, adding that all principals and headmasters have been instructed to ensure strict compliance.

The decision follows an announcement by the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday, which said Stage IV restrictions were being enforced with immediate effect across Delhi and the National Capital Region due to worsening air quality.

On Saturday, Noida recorded the worst air quality in the country, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 455, placing it in the severe-plus category. Greater Noida followed closely with an AQI of 442, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

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