Gurugram, Dec. 16 -- Even as Gurugram's air quality worsened to a "very poor" AQI of 345 on Monday, schools across the district continued to function in physical mode, raising concerns among parents. Despite the enforcement of Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), no directive has been issued by the Gurugram district commissioner to shift classes online. On December 13, CAQM announced that all emergency measures under Grap Stage 4 had been enforced across Delhi-NCR. Under these provisions, states and local administrations have the flexibility to move classes to online or hybrid mode, particularly for younger students, if air quality fails to improve. In Gurugram, such binding orders for both government and private schools are issued by the deputy commissioner. Although Grap Stage 4 is currently in force, no order has been issued by the DC so far. Private schools, however, are free to adopt a hybrid mode on their own, officials said. District education officer Saroj Dahiya said, "No such order has been issued by the Gurugram DC yet." Despite multiple attempts by HT, deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar nor his office did not respond to queries on why no fresh orders had been issued or whether a previous directive allowing hybrid classes up to Class 5 remains in force. Parents, meanwhile, expressed anxiety over the uncertain schedule. Neetu Gupta, parent of a class 6 student, said, "There is a lot of pollution in the air, and our child leaves for school early in the morning when the smog is at its peak. While schools in Delhi have shifted to online classes, why are schools in Gurugram still operating physically?" Rakesh Sharma, a resident of Sector 56, said, "Both my children are coughing, yet they still have to go to school. I am deeply worried about their immunity." Environmental activist Ruchika Sethi called the situation a public health emergency. "The impact of air pollution is slow and cumulative. It cannot be dismissed as a seasonal problem," she said, highlighting children's vulnerability. School authorities said they were taking precautionary steps. Rashmi Malik, principal of Salwan Public School, said, "We have suspended all physical activities and advised students and staff to wear masks." She added the school may shift to hybrid mode if air quality remains poor. Aditi Misra, director of Delhi Public School, said, "The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. All classrooms are air-conditioned and equipped with air purifiers." Health experts, meanwhile, warned of serious risks. Dr Manish Mannan, head of paediatrics and neonatology at Paras Health, Gurugram, said, "Physical exertion increases the rate and depth of breathing, allowing a larger volume of pollutants to reach deep into the lungs," adding that outdoor activities be avoided during high pollution days....