Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Schools Shift to Remote Learning for One Week

08:37

Schools in Riyadh are temporarily transitioning to remote learning. Parents of students in the Saudi capital were informed on Sunday of a closure of schools for one week, in a last-minute decision announced by the authorities.

At this stage, no detailed official explanation has been provided to justify this measure. However, it comes as Saudi Arabia faces a surge in attacks launched from Yemen by the Houthis.

A Last-Minute Decision

Families received emails on Sunday informing them that in-person classes would be suspended for the entire week. Several institutions reported that they were informed of the decision by Saudi authorities.

Education will continue remotely, notably through approved educational platforms. The measure affects both students and teaching, educational, and administrative staff.

The sudden announcement has caused confusion among some parents. A Riyadh resident interviewed by AFP lamented the lack of information regarding the reasons for this decision.

A Measure Taken in a Tense Security Context

The shift to remote learning comes on the heels of new attacks attributed to the Houthis against Saudi territory.

On Saturday, Saudi authorities announced that they had intercepted drones targeting Riyadh as well as ballistic missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait, in the southwest of the kingdom. This city houses significant military infrastructure.

These attacks are part of a new phase of tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. According to several sources, hostilities have intensified since the breakdown in July of a truce that had helped reduce clashes for several years.

No Officially Confirmed Link

Despite the coincidence between the attacks and the temporary closure of schools, no official communication currently allows for the assertion that the decision was directly motivated by missile and drone strikes.

This distinction is important as families seek to understand the reasons for a measure that affects all schools in the capital for several days.

The UN Security Council has condemned the escalation of attacks against Saudi Arabia, noting civilian casualties, including women and children.

Riyadh Maintains Remote Classes

The suspension of in-person classes does not mean an end to education. Students are expected to continue their online courses during the announced period of the measure.

For families in Riyadh, this week of remote learning represents a sudden change in their daily organization. The decision comes amid a capital facing a particularly tense regional environment, as attacks against Saudi territory multiply.

The evolution of the security situation in the coming days could determine whether schools return to their usual operation after this period.