‘Air still smells toxic:’ Delhi schools back to physical classes amid alarming AQI

Others felt academic continuity needed priority. “Children can’t keep shifting between online and offline modes. My daughter’s focus breaks every time this happens,” said Yogendra Yadav, a parent from East Delhi.

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Teachers voiced concerns about classroom ventilation and preparedness. “Not all schools have air purifiers, and younger students often either forget masks or are not comfortable using them. We worry about prolonged exposure,” said Sumit Parashar, a government school teacher in North Delhi.

“It’s definitely challenging for us as teachers. Online classes demand that we constantly work to keep students focused on a screen, and that itself is tiring. Now that offline classes are resuming, we have to divide our attention between students sitting in front of us and those who may still be joining remotely. Managing both formats together affects the pace of teaching, and it becomes difficult to ensure every child is engaged and learning equally,” said the Delhi government school teacher.

A working mother from Delhi, Ginni Bhandari, echoed the sentiment. “I was sending my daughter (who is in Class 5) to school because being a working parent, it was difficult for me to handle everything. And it’s quite a difficult task. So, I was in favour of it,” she said, adding that while schools and teachers try their best, online classes cannot do justice.

She also called for broader accountability. “Until the core reason is found out, I would say that, along with the government, we should also look at the normal people. Where should we not do the activities so that the pollution does not spread more.”

GRAP-3 restrictions

GRAP-3 restrictions, which mandated a shift to online or hybrid classes for students up to Class 5 in Delhi NCR, were put in place on November 11, 2025. However, the rule was revoked on November 26, 2025, following a sustained improvement in air quality from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’.

Consequently, the Directorate of Education issued a circular withdrawing the hybrid learning guidelines, allowing all classes in Delhi NCR schools to resume complete offline physical mode operations effectively from November 27, 2025, which aligned with the start of full physical attendance on December 1, for the new week.

Vikas Sharma, president of the parents’ association at DAV school in Delhi’s north-west, said academic pressure is another factor pushing parents toward offline mode.

“On top of everything, students have exams, the unit tests are going on, along with pre-boards for senior students. Yes, there is a lot of worry, but in the alternative, the coursework will not be completed. This is also difficult,” he said.

Parents worried about children’s health

The Delhi Parents Association (DPA) said it supports reopening but remains cautious.

“Reopening schools was a necessary step as exams are around the corner, but we can’t ignore fluctuating AQI levels. We appreciate the government’s effort to balance education and health, but authorities must stay alert and be ready to adapt,” said Aprajita Gautam, president, DPA.

She added that health concerns dominate feedback from families. “Parents are worried about their children’s health and safety. They want assurances that schools are fully prepared.”

On preparedness, Gautam said measures exist but must be enforced. “We expect schools to implement mask mandates and limit outdoor activities, but these steps need consistent and effective implementation. We’re monitoring the situation closely,” she added.

The DPA also flagged the emotional toll of inconsistent schedules. “The constant switching between online and offline classes is affecting children’s mental well-being and academic progress. They need stability,” she said.

Gautam noted that while authorities acted, quicker decisions would help. “We appreciate the efforts, but there’s room for improvement. Timely decisions are crucial in such situations.”

Calling for immediate steps, Gautam said: “Authorities must ensure schools enforce mask mandates, restrict outdoor activities when AQI is high, and maintain transparent communication.”

Health experts have repeatedly warned that prolonged exposure to toxic air can worsen respiratory problems, especially in children. As pollution is expected to worsen, parents want stability in both the air quality and the decisions around school closures — neither of which they feel they can rely on right now.