Around noon on Monday, two teenage girls, dressed in brown salwar and maroon sweater, discussed Mathematics homework as they walked along the road in Noida’s Sector 50. “Our school is open. All the students from our class were present,” one of them said.
Two days after GRAP-IV restrictions — strictest anti-pollution measures imposed by the Centre — were invoked across Delhi-NCR, issuing directives for schools to hold hybrid or online classes, schools in Noida saw mixed scenes on Monday.
The girls are from Uttar Pradesh Board-affiliated Apna School, run by an NGO. Located in one of the lanes in Sector 50, the school operates from a building taken on rent, for students residing in the nearby slums.
Principal Malvika Singh, said that they switched to a new schedule and classes on Monday began at 10 am for students of Class 6 and onwards. “We have completely shut the school for children up to Class 5. We cannot teach them online,” Singh said. She said that most parents are daily-wage earners. “Their parents are labourers or work in flats nearby. They do not have mobile phones. None of them knew about the circular. So, today, all of them came to the school,” she said.
“We sent students of upto Class 5 back and informed them that the school was closed for them. Online classes are possible only in big schools. Here we have no alternative. Until the orders are in place, we cannot take classes,” she said.
Speaking about students of Class 6 onwards, the Principal said: “They will have to come to school.”
Meanwhile, six yellow school buses stood in a neat line outside the Kothari International School in Sector 50. Their wide windows offered glimpses of the empty seats — the pattern broken only by a few students sitting quietly at the back. Some also queued outside to meet their parents waiting in their cars.
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“The school has switched to hybrid mode. Therefore, there are not many students here,” said a school official.
At several CBSE-affiliated private schools in the area, including Kothari International School and S D Vidya School, classrooms remained largely empty. “Only a small number of students came to school,” the Principal of one of such schools said.
She said that the school received a notice from the district administration around 5 pm, after which a message was sent to parents. “We have completely switched to online mode for all the students up to Class 5. For the rest, it is up to the parents to decide if they want to send their children to school. We are teaching as usual,” the Principal also said.
Overall, school buses were visibly vacant as many parents chose to limit their children’s exposure to the hazardous air. “The health of my children is a concern. But with the frequent switch of mode of classes, it is difficult to juggle. We are hoping for a better arrangement as their exams are nearing,” said a parent, whose son studies at Kothari International School, requesting anonymity.
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Private pre-primary and kindergarten schools in the city remained completely shut, shifting all activities online in compliance with the government’s pollution-related advisories, citing the vulnerability of younger children.
The Principal of Euro Kids, Puja Kashav, said that students aged up to six study at the school.
“We have 15 students and two teachers. Earlier, we engaged them for three hours, but now we engage them only for two hours, considering the effect on their eyes.” Kashav said.
Neetika Jha is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in the Noida bureau. She primarily covers crime, health, and environmental issues, as well as human-interest features across Noida, Ghaziabad, and Western Uttar Pradesh.
Professional Profile
Education: She is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Core Beat: Her work focuses on the administrative and social challenges of the NCR's satellite cities. She is known for her detailed reporting on civic infrastructure (like the Noida International Airport), environmental violations, and high-profile criminal investigations.
Personal Interests: Outside of reporting, she is an avid reader of fiction (citing The Thursday Murder Club and Yellowface as recent favorites) and a gardening enthusiast.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Neetika’s recent reportage has been dominated by winter-related crises in the NCR and significant criminal legalities:
1. Environment & Public Safety
"Greater Noida Authority slaps fines on firms for violating GRAP IV norms" (Dec 21, 2025): Reporting on heavy penalties imposed on major developers like NBCC for flouting anti-pollution construction bans.
"Fatal pile-up on Yamuna Expressway: Fog, high speed emerge as key safety risks" (Dec 17, 2025): A major report on a 15-vehicle collision caused by dense fog that killed 17 people.
"At Chilla, Kalindi, DND, many fined Rs 20,000 for non-compliance to Delhi's BS-VI rule" (Dec 19, 2025): On-the-ground reporting from the borders where Noida police penalize non-compliant vehicles entering the capital.
"Driving in Noida amid fog? New speed limits in effect till Feb 15" (Dec 13, 2025): Detailing the seasonal traffic restrictions aimed at preventing highway accidents.
2. Crime & Legal Developments
"'Have you ever heard of a murder case being withdrawn?': Court in Akhlaq lynching case" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering a critical courtroom hearing where the court questioned the UP government's petition to withdraw charges against the accused.
"After losing money in stock market, bank employee in Ghaziabad withdraws Rs 64 lakh from customers' accounts" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative piece on internal bank fraud and the risks of modern digital embezzlement.
"Woman shot dead by partner in Noida: Three days on, accused still on the run" (Dec 2, 2025): Tracking a high-profile domestic violence and murder case in Central Noida.
3. Human Interest & Features
"'Had tears in my eyes': Army men walk bride down the aisle 20 years after father died in terror attack" (Dec 2, 2025): A moving story about soldiers from a Punjab Grenadiers unit fulfilling a father's duty for his daughter.
"How a Zepto delivery man heard a cry — and saved two kids dumped in Noida drain" (Dec 2025): A viral human-interest story highlighting individual heroism in the city.
Signature Style
Neetika is recognized for her meticulous follow-up on local tragedies. Whether it is a massive pile-up on the Yamuna Expressway or the ongoing construction of the Jewar (Noida) Airport, she focuses on systemic lapses and the safety of commuters. Her crime reporting often explores the psychological motives behind "crimes of passion" and the rising trend of financial cyber-fraud in the Ghaziabad-Noida belt. ... Read More
