09-05-2025
In Delhi-NCR, few private schools stay shut, others continue with offline classes
From closing campuses on Friday to shifting classes online and continuing with regular classes backed by emergency preparedness protocols, private schools across Delhi-NCR have adopted a range of responses in the backdrop of India beginning a counter-offensive after Pakistani drones and missiles attempted to hit military facilities in Indian cities on Thursday.
However, government schools across Delhi-NCR have remained open, with no formal directions issued by the respective state governments. A senior official from the Delhi education department explained that authorities chose not to order closures, considering that schools are already scheduled to shut for summer vacation starting May 11.
The Delhi Public School (DPS) branches in R K Puram, East of Kailash, and Vasant Vihar were among the first to announce a complete closure on Friday, citing precautionary measures. The management directed staff across academic and non-academic departments to remain alert and keep their teams informed. Additionally, Indraprastha World School confirmed that it would continue operations in online mode only for the day.
Pathways School Noida, a prominent private school catering to Delhi-NCR students, also announced it would shut on Friday.
The majority of schools across Delhi-NCR, however, remained operational, choosing to continue offline classes while implementing necessary safety precautions. These include Amity International Schools, Birla Vidya Niketan (BVN) in Pushp Vihar, Queen Mary's School (QMS) Northend, Salwan Public School in Mayur Vihar, Maharaja Agrasen Model School (MAMS) branches and Apeejay School branches.
ITL Public School, Dwarka, chose to work in offline mode 'to not create any panic', and attendance is more than 90 per cent, Principal Sudha Acharya said.
Schools in South Delhi and Pitampura were reportedly open. Mamta Modern Senior Secondary School in Vikaspuri also remained open, though it rescheduled its unit cycle tests, Principal Pallavi Sharma confirmed.
Similarly, DLF Foundation Schools in Gurgaon stayed open, with chairperson Ameeta Mulla Wattal saying, 'The schools are not closed since the drills are in place.'
On Wednesday, mock drills were conducted at 55 locations in Delhi, including over 500 schools, simulating blackouts and evacuation scenarios following instructions from the District Disaster Management Authority.
