Noida District Officials Adjust School Timings To 9 A.M. Due To Cold Weather And Pollution

In light of the cold weather conditions, Noida district officials have extended school timings starting December 17. Schools will now operate from 9 a.m. until further notice. This change has been communicated to students through notices sent to registered phone numbers.

Private schools have also adjusted their bus schedules accordingly. The dense fog affecting the NCR region early in the morning has prompted these changes. Areas like Noida, Jewar, Dadri, Greater Noida, YEIDA, and Dankaur fall under Gautam Buddh Nagar.The Delhi NCR region is facing a dual challenge of high pollution levels and harsh cold weather. In response, authorities have rolled out significant measures to address these issues. The revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has introduced stricter regulations to combat air pollution in the area.

Under GRAP's Stage III, schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar will transition to hybrid classes for students up to Class V. This allows parents and students the option of online learning where available. The decision aims to reduce exposure to pollution.

DPS Issues Circular on New Timings

Delhi Public School (DPS) issued a circular following the order: "Dear parents, as per the directives received from district administration, GB Nagar, the school timings have been revised in view of extreme cold weather conditions." DPS stated that Pre-Nursery to Class 2 will attend from 10 a.m. to 1:25 p.m., while Classes 3 to 12 will be from 9 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.

DPS also mentioned that bus services would be delayed by an hour due to these adjustments. This measure ensures student safety amid adverse weather conditions.

Hybrid Classes Implemented Following CAQM Order

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) order over GRAP Stage III mandates hybrid classes for younger students. Veditha Reddy, director (Education), stated: "All Heads of Schools of Government Aided, Unaided Recognized Private Schools of DoE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class V in a 'Hybrid Mode', both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders."