On Monday, the Delhi government instructed all government, private, and civic body-run schools to implement "hybrid mode" classes, combining both online and offline formats, with immediate effect.

This directive came after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced relaxations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to help minimize educational disruptions caused by poor air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Following a decline in air quality, all schools in the NCR switched to online lessons on October 18. However, on Monday, the Supreme Court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reconsider the suspension of physical classes in schools and colleges.

The court highlighted concerns that many students lacked access to mid-day meals and the necessary infrastructure to participate in online classes.

"Clause 11 of GRAP Stage-III, Clause 5 of GRAP Stage-IV and Clause 8 of GRAP Stage-IV (to the extent it relates to colleges, educational institutions) are relaxed to the extent that State Govts in the NCR and GNCTD shall ensure that all classes upto 12th Standard in schools and those in colleges/educational institutions are conducted in a 'hybrid' mode, i.e, both in 'physical' and also in an 'online' mode, wherever online mode is feasible, in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar in the NCR. The option to exercise online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians," a notification issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of Delhi, said.

"Accordingly, all Heads of Schools of Govt, Govt. Aided, Unaided Recognized Private Schools of DoE, NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation), MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to ensure compliance of the above orders with immediate effect until further orders," it added.

On Monday, the CAQM authorized educational institutions to conduct classes in a "hybrid" format, giving students the option to attend either in person or online. The CAQM stated, "All classes up to 12th standard in schools, as well as those in colleges and educational institutions, are to be held in 'Hybrid' mode, combining both 'physical' and 'online' formats, wherever online participation is feasible."

This development followed the Supreme Court's directive to the CAQM to reassess the GRAP restrictions, considering their impact on education. The court also emphasized the importance of prioritizing education and raised several concerns regarding the challenges faced by students due to the ongoing restrictions.

"A large number of students are being deprived of the facility of mid-day meals as schools and anganwadis are closed. A large number of students do not have the facilities to take advantage of online education. Many educational institutions do not have the facilities to provide online education," the court said.