Delhi Schools Shift Online, Colleges Postpone Exams Amid October 10 Protest

NEW DELHI, Oct 10: Several schools and colleges in the national capital shifted classes online, postponed examinations and revised campus activities in view of security concerns surrounding a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. The precautionary measures were announced ahead of anticipated restrictions on public transport and movement in parts of Delhi, prompting institutions to adjust their academic schedules to minimise inconvenience to students, parents and staff.

The changes affected classroom teaching, internal examinations, parent-teacher meetings and extracurricular activities. Educational institutions said the decisions were intended to ensure the safety of students and prevent disruption caused by traffic restrictions, extensive barricading and possible changes to metro services.

According to reports published on October 9, several institutions informed parents and students about the revised arrangements a day before the planned gathering. The decisions highlighted the challenges educational establishments face when major public events affect transportation networks and access to campuses.

Sardar Patel Vidyalaya announced that students from Classes 6 to 12 would attend online classes on October 10. The school cited extensive barricading in the New Delhi area and concerns about students’ safety while travelling to and from the campus.

The institution also discontinued its stay-back facility on Friday and postponed the inauguration of its Activity Week, which had been scheduled for Saturday. A revised date for the activity was to be announced later.

The move meant that students would continue their academic work from home rather than travel to school during a period of heightened security. Parents were required to follow the school’s communication regarding online classes and other arrangements.

Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School also revised its schedule by postponing a parent-teacher meeting planned for October 10. The meeting was intended to discuss students’ report cards and academic progress. The school said details of the rescheduled meeting would be communicated to parents.

The postponement affected an important part of the school calendar, as parent-teacher meetings provide an opportunity for families and educators to discuss classroom performance, attendance, learning difficulties and areas requiring additional support. The revised arrangements were intended to allow these discussions to take place without the complications associated with the proposed demonstration.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Mehta Vidyalaya, located on Kasturba Gandhi Marg, cancelled sports day practice and enrichment classes for students of Classes 9 to 12 scheduled for Saturday. The institution cited the proposed gathering and the need to protect students as the reasons for its decision.

The cancellation affected activities outside regular classroom teaching, including sports preparation and supplementary academic sessions. Such programmes generally require students, teachers and support staff to be present on campus, making travel arrangements an important consideration when public movement is restricted.

Colleges also changed their examination schedules after receiving information about potential transport disruptions.

Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering in Paschim Vihar postponed its mid-term examinations scheduled for October 10 to Monday, October 12. The college referred to anticipated restrictions on entry and exit gates at several metro stations and the possibility of disruption to services.

The institution said the decision followed directions from the dean of the University School of Information, Communication and Technology at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, along with communication from the Delhi Police’s Transport Range. Examination timings were to remain unchanged on the revised date.

The Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology in Rohini also postponed its mid-term examinations from October 10 to October 12. The institute said it had acted after receiving communication from Delhi Police concerning anticipated metro restrictions.

The decision was approved by the relevant university authorities and the BTech Programme Coordination Committee. Department heads were asked to inform faculty members and students about the revised schedule.

For students preparing for internal examinations, the changes required adjustments to revision plans and travel arrangements. Institutions were expected to communicate the updated dates clearly so that candidates could avoid confusion about reporting times and examination requirements.

The proposed protest also prompted security-related transport measures. According to reports, Delhi Police requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday until further notice. The request was linked to the planned gathering at Jantar Mantar and concerns about the possible movement of crowds towards sensitive locations.

The prospect of metro restrictions was particularly significant for educational institutions because students, teaching staff and non-teaching employees rely on public transport to reach schools and colleges across the city. Changes affecting several stations can complicate journeys even for those whose campuses are not immediately adjacent to the protest site.

For schools, the issue also involves the coordination of bus services, parental drop-offs and the safe return of younger students. Colleges must consider whether students can reach examination centres on time and whether staff members can report for invigilation and administrative duties.

Moving classes online offered one way to maintain continuity of teaching while reducing the need for travel. However, the effectiveness of such arrangements depends on students having access to suitable devices, stable internet connections and clear instructions from their teachers.

Online teaching also requires institutions to coordinate lesson timings, attendance procedures, assignments and communication channels. Schools that switch formats at short notice must ensure that students understand how to access lessons and where to obtain learning materials.

Examination postponements present a different challenge. Colleges need to notify candidates about the revised dates, ensure that faculty members and examination personnel are available, and maintain the necessary administrative arrangements. Students also need sufficient notice to reorganise preparation schedules and other commitments.

The situation illustrates why educational institutions increasingly need contingency plans for disruptions caused by transport restrictions, public gatherings, severe weather and other emergencies. Such plans may include digital teaching arrangements, emergency communication systems and procedures for rescheduling assessments.

Clear communication between schools, universities, law enforcement agencies and transport authorities can help reduce uncertainty. Timely notices also allow parents to make childcare arrangements and help students avoid unnecessary journeys.

At the same time, any shift to online teaching needs to account for students who have limited access to digital resources. Institutions can help by sharing recorded lessons or study materials where feasible and providing clear guidance on attendance and assignments.

The latest schedule changes were precautionary measures connected to the proposed October 10 protest, rather than a general suspension of education across Delhi. The institutions concerned announced individual decisions based on their locations, academic calendars and assessments of possible disruption.

Students and parents were advised to rely on official communications from their respective schools and colleges for revised class schedules, examination dates and other instructions.

The developments underline the importance of balancing public safety with uninterrupted education. While temporary changes may be necessary during periods of heightened security, advance planning and effective communication remain essential to ensuring that students can continue their studies with minimal disruption.