Noida Schools: In light of the escalating pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, the Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Manish Verma on Monday issued an order directing all schools to conduct online classes till Grade 12. This comes after Gautam Buddh Nagar District Education Department issued an advisory for schools. The advisory, signed by District Basic Education Officer Rahul Panwar, mandated several precautionary measures to ensure student safety.
The order, applicable to all schools under the government, aided, and private institutions in the district, stated: “Considering the rising pollution levels, GRAP Stage 4 provisions have been enforced. To protect students from pollution, all school principals are directed to maintain cleanliness and spray water regularly on school premises. All outdoor activities must be completely restricted until further notice.”
Furthermore, the directive emphasised that students suffering from health issues should not be forced to attend school, and their absence should not be marked against them. The advisory also stresses strict compliance with these measures.
The directives come as pollution control actions across Delhi-NCR have intensified. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) panel has imposed GRAP Stage 4 measures, leading to changes in school operations. In Delhi, Chief Minister Atishi announced the shift of all classes to online learning. Haryana had already directed the temporary closure of schools up to Class 5.
ALSO READ | Delhi To Suspend Physical Classes For Class 10 And 12 Amid Pollution, Teaching To Go Online
Supreme Court Directives On Physical Classes, GRAP Stage 4 Actions
The Supreme Court has also intervened, directing Delhi-NCR governments to consider suspending physical classes up to Class 12. The bench ordered the formation of monitoring teams to oversee the strict enforcement of GRAP Stage 4 actions. It further instructed that a complaint mechanism be set up for reporting any violations of the restrictions.
“All states, notwithstanding what is provided in clause 5 of GRAP, may take an immediate call on stopping physical classes of all standards up to class 12,” the SC bench directed.
It further stated the NCR state governments and the Union government would have to immediately take a decision on actions provided under stage 4 of GRAP and place the decision on record before the next date of hearing.
“We direct all governments of the NCR area to strictly implement stage 4 of GRAP. All states will immediately constitute teams for monitoring the implementation of actions which are required to be taken under stage 4,” the top court ordered.
Education Loan Information:
Calculate Education Loan EMI