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As smog chokes NCR, schools in Noida and Ghaziabad switch to online and hybrid classes. How will students adapt, and what measures are authorities taking to protect children from the worsening air quality?
NCR schools shift to online mode as air quality
Noida: Rising air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) has forced schools in Noida and Ghaziabad to shift to online and hybrid learning modes, prioritizing students’ health while maintaining academic schedules. The decision comes amid a severe deterioration in air quality, with smog enveloping large parts of the region.
Following the implementation of GRAP Stage-IV, the district administrations of Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad issued revised guidelines for schools and coaching centers. In Noida, students from pre-nursery to Class V will now attend classes entirely online until further notice.
Students in Classes VI to IX and Class XI will follow a hybrid format, combining physical attendance with online classes wherever feasible. These measures aim to reduce students’ exposure to hazardous air while ensuring continuity in education.
In Ghaziabad, a similar approach has been adopted. Classes from Pre-Nursery and Nursery to Class V will be conducted fully online. Students in Classes VI to IX and Class XI will attend classes in a hybrid mode.
The district office emphasized that these arrangements will remain in effect from December 14, 2025, until further orders. School heads and coaching center operators have been instructed to strictly implement the directive.
The Delhi government has issued a parallel directive for schools across the capital. All government, government-aided, and private schools under the DoE, NDMC, MCD, and Delhi Cantonment Board are required to conduct classes for children up to Class IX and XI in a hybrid format.
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The notice allows students and guardians the option to attend classes online wherever available. Authorities stressed that online learning should be utilized wherever feasible to protect children from prolonged exposure to poor air quality.
The decision to shift to online and hybrid learning comes as NCR cities continue to struggle with severe air pollution, particularly affecting children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. Experts recommend minimizing outdoor activities, wearing masks, and using air purifiers in homes and schools to mitigate the impact of hazardous air.
Parents and school authorities have been urged to cooperate fully with the new arrangements to ensure the safety and well-being of students while maintaining academic schedules.
