Riyadh, Diriyah extend remote learning as security concerns persist

Schools across Riyadh and Diriyah governorate will continue remote learning until October 22, as Saudi authorities extend precautionary measures in response to ongoing security concerns.

The Riyadh Education General Administration announced the decision on Saturday, saying it applies to all students, teachers and administrative staff. Lessons will continue through the Madrasati platform and other approved digital learning systems.

“As part of the continued implementation of precautionary measures, it has been decided to extend the conversion of in-person study to remote study,” the administration said in a statement posted on its official X account.

The extension means school students in the two areas will spend a second consecutive week learning from home. Alfaisal University and Prince Sultan University also informed students by email on Saturday night that classes would be conducted remotely this week.

The latest decision follows a series of security incidents that have disrupted normal life in the capital. Schools first moved online on October 11, a day after a missile strike on King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and injured 309, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

The fatalities included four Saudi nationals and eight people of other nationalities, with Umrah pilgrims among those affected. A further strike targeting Terminal 4 the following day killed a Pakistani national and injured 11 others, forcing the airport to suspend operations for several days.

Riyadh had also experienced an earlier suspension of in-person classes from September 27 to October 1 after Houthi drones and ballistic missiles were intercepted near the capital.

Air defence activity continues

The latest extension comes after a week of heightened air defence activity in several parts of the Kingdom.

On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted and destroyed three drones over Riyadh and the southern region, two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and a ballistic missile over Yanbu. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki announced the interceptions on X, saying they had taken place in the preceding hours.

According to the coalition, King Khalid International Airport had been targeted at least 20 times this month.

Digital learning keeps classes running

The continued use of remote learning highlights the role of Saudi Arabia's digital education infrastructure in keeping lessons on track when students cannot safely attend classrooms.

The Ministry of Education expanded the Madrasati platform during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling millions of students across the country to continue their education remotely in 2020 and 2021. The platform has since remained an important option during disruptions, including weather-related school closures.

However, the education administration has not specified the conditions for resuming in-person classes or announced arrangements beyond October 22, leaving the timing of students' return to classrooms uncertain.