New Delhi | November 13, 2025 – As air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region continues to surge into the “severe” category, the question on every parent’s mind is whether schools will remain open tomorrow, November 14. In response to the escalating Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that schools up to Class 5 will operate on a hybrid mode, combining both online and physical classes, in a bid to safeguard the health of young children while maintaining academic continuity.

The announcement follows Stage-3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), invoked by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in view of persistently hazardous pollution levels across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Stage-3 measures, typically triggered when the AQI crosses 400, aim to limit outdoor exposure, reduce vehicular emissions, and control industrial pollution. This includes restrictions on construction activities, increased use of water sprinklers for dust suppression, and control of industrial smoke, along with public advisories for sensitive groups.

CM Gupta clarified that the hybrid mode applies only to students up to Class 5, with schools having the discretion to implement online classes depending on feasibility. “Schools up to Class 5 will be conducted on hybrid mode — online and physical classes. Going for the online mode, as a part of hybrid, depends on feasibility at the school level,” she said. Parents and guardians have been advised to check directly with schools to confirm whether online classes will be offered in addition to in-person attendance.

Currently, no official directives have been issued regarding hybrid or online classes in the NCR districts of Gurugram and Faridabad in Haryana, or Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida) in Uttar Pradesh. While the Delhi government has implemented GRAP-3 measures in the city, schools in neighboring states are guided by local authorities and may have different operational decisions based on their air quality and administrative protocols.

Delhi’s worsening air quality has been a cause for serious concern for residents since the beginning of November. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that the city recorded its first “severe” air quality day of the season on Tuesday, November 11, with an AQI of 428 at 4 pm. Similar readings were observed on Wednesday and Thursday, signaling a sustained period of hazardous air conditions. The primary contributors to Delhi’s toxic air include vehicular emissions, construction dust, industrial pollution, and smoke from stubble burning in neighboring states, alongside meteorological factors that prevent the dispersion of pollutants.

CM Gupta emphasized that the government has been actively working to address these challenges over the past several months. “The measures the Delhi government is taking are being implemented with complete sincerity,” she said. “Be it water sprinklers, dust mitigation, sweeping, garbage collection, or smoke control, wherever it is required, action is being taken.” The chief minister also acknowledged that pollution from surrounding states has a significant impact on Delhi’s air quality. “The vehicles coming from other states, the smoke coming from other states — in the last seven to eight months, the government has worked on these issues with all its might,” she added.

In addition to these measures, the government has also been promoting awareness about personal protective measures. Parents and guardians are advised to ensure that children wear N95 or equivalent masks when traveling outdoors, limit outdoor activities, and maintain proper indoor air quality using air purifiers where possible. Children with pre-existing respiratory conditions, asthma, or other health vulnerabilities are considered particularly at risk during this period.

The hybrid model is designed to balance educational continuity with health precautions. Schools adopting hybrid classes will allow students to attend lessons in-person on days when pollution levels are comparatively lower, while providing online alternatives on days when AQI reaches hazardous levels. This approach not only protects children from prolonged exposure to toxic air but also ensures that academic schedules remain largely uninterrupted.

Experts warn that Delhi’s severe air quality is not an isolated problem. According to environmental scientists, the convergence of several factors—including stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, urban vehicle emissions, and slow winds during winter months—has created a perfect storm for deteriorating air quality. Without immediate action, experts caution, air pollution could not only affect school attendance but also lead to long-term respiratory and cardiovascular health issues, particularly among young children and the elderly.

The Delhi government’s decision to implement a hybrid schooling model is consistent with earlier advisories during high pollution episodes, when authorities have restricted outdoor activities, suspended construction work, and imposed traffic limitations to reduce exposure. The Commission for Air Quality Management regularly monitors particulate matter levels (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, and other pollutants, issuing daily updates and recommending precautionary measures based on real-time air quality data.

Parents are also encouraged to monitor air quality forecasts using official government platforms, including the CPCB’s Air Quality Index portal, and to follow school communications closely. Schools are expected to make rapid decisions regarding class schedules and notify students and parents promptly. This approach ensures flexibility in responding to sudden changes in air quality and minimizes disruption to academic activities.

CM Gupta reiterated that the Delhi government’s data on air quality is accurate, despite some public concerns about technical discrepancies in monitoring equipment. “Despite technical issues, the records were correct and visible,” she said, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency and proactive management of air pollution.

While Delhi residents brace for continued hazardous conditions, the government has called for community cooperation, urging citizens to reduce personal emissions, avoid burning waste, and use public transport wherever possible. The measures aim to mitigate the impact of high pollution days while long-term strategies—including policy measures to curb vehicular emissions, industrial pollution controls, and regional cooperation to reduce stubble burning—are developed and implemented.

In summary, for November 14, 2025, schools in Delhi up to Class 5 will operate in hybrid mode, combining online and physical classes depending on each school’s capabilities. Guardians are advised to confirm arrangements with individual schools, while students with health concerns should prioritize online learning. Schools beyond Class 5 in Delhi, and schools across NCR districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida, may have different policies, and parents are encouraged to stay updated with local school communications.

As Delhi continues to experience persistent ‘severe’ air pollution, government authorities, educators, and parents must work together to protect children’s health while ensuring continuity in education. The hybrid schooling approach represents a measured response, balancing the twin priorities of student safety and academic progress. Citizens are also reminded to adopt preventive health measures, minimize outdoor exposure, and remain vigilant until air quality improves.

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