Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday announced that physics classes will be suspended for classes 10 and 12 while teaching will be conducted in online mode as pollution levels in the city have deteriorated to “severe” pollution levels addition”.

“From tomorrow, physics classes will also be suspended for classes 10 and 12 and all studies will be shifted online,” Delhi CM Atishi said in a post on X.

From tmrw, physics classes will also be suspended for grades 10 and 12, and all studies will be moved online

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 18, 2024

The announcement comes hours after the Supreme Court asked all states to consider suspending physical education till Class 12 while hearing a plea on the deteriorating air quality in Delhi. A apex court bench comprising Justice AS Oka and Justice AG Masih said, “All states should take an immediate call to stop physical classes from all standards up to class 12.”

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Physics classes are already suspended for all but classes 10 and 12 as Phase 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP IV) has been implemented in Delhi amid worsening air quality.

The city is facing severe pollution as the Air Quality Index (AQI) has dropped to the “plus severe” category. Deteriorating air quality left people with itchy eyes and sore throats as the AQI was 494, the second worst in six years.

The implementation of the fourth phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was announced in the city on Sunday after Air quality index (AQI) crossed the 400 mark, signaling severe pollution levels. Doctors have expressed concern about the health risks, warning that toxic air can harm not only vulnerable groups but also healthy people.

The Delhi government had earlier ordered schools closed, with online classes replacing physical sessions to protect students from dangerous air. However, the order did not apply to class 10 and 12 students.

“With the imposition of GRAP-4 today, physical classes have been suspended for all students except classes 10 and 12. All schools will hold classes online until further notice,” Chief Minister Atishi said in a post on Sunday X

The Directorate of Education has also issued a circular directing heads of government and private schools to suspend classes for all students, including classes 10 and 12.

Meanwhile, the General Administration Department (GAD) on Monday issued an order declaring staggered calendars for government offices and MCDs in view of the dire air pollution situation in the city.

The order stated as per the Lt Governor’s instruction, the staggered office hours as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), will be followed by Delhi Govt offices and MCD. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) office timings will be from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, while that of Delhi government offices will be from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. The staggered terms will come into effect by February 28, 2025, the statement said.