Delhi's Air Quality Crisis Forces Schools to Adopt Hybrid Learning

Wed Nov 12 2025 11:28:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As pollution levels soar to dangerous highs, Delhi's authorities impose hybrid classes for primary students and ban non-essential construction activities to protect public health.

Facing severe air pollution, schools in Delhi are transitioning to hybrid classes for primary students. Stricter measures have been implemented, including restrictions on goods carriers and the banning of construction activities. Air quality has plummeted to alarming levels, prompting health officials to advise residents to stay indoors. Political tensions have risen as opposition leaders accuse the government of mishandling air quality data.

Schools in Delhi have been asked to run hybrid classes for primary students and non-essential construction activity has been banned as air quality worsens in the Indian capital.

On Tuesday, authorities enforced stricter anti-pollution measures that include limiting the movement of goods carriers in the capital and its suburbs.

Delhi's air quality has deteriorated to severe levels according to authorities, which can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases.

On Wednesday, the capital's PM2.5 levels reached 438, according to the Central Pollution Control Board—dangerously high concentrations of fine particles that can clog the lungs.

This is nearly 30 times higher than the World Health Organization's safe limit and about eight times higher than India's national average. The WHO considers a 24-hour average of no more than 15 to be safe.

Doctors have advised people—especially children and the elderly—to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary and to wear protective masks if they do.

Toxic air quality is a recurring problem in Delhi and across parts of northern India during the winter. There isn't a single cause behind the problem, but a mix of factors like low wind speeds, industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, dropping temperatures, and the seasonal burning of crop stubble in neighboring states contribute to the smog.

The Delhi government enforces a set of special measures known as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to contain pollution levels. Stage three of these measures were implemented on Tuesday, which include a ban on mining activity and prohibiting the movement of vehicles carrying dust-generating materials.

The worsening air quality has led to public protests and political criticism in the capital. Opposition leader Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the Delhi government of manipulating air quality data and failing to protect public health.

Delhi's government has denied these allegations, stating that they are dedicated to pollution control and that their data is transparent.