Without explaining why: Schools in Riyadh switch to remote learning

Private schools in Riyadh have announced a transition to remote learning from Sunday through Thursday, October 1, without specifying the reason. This comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions with the Houthis, who over the weekend launched two drones toward the area that were intercepted. However, no official statement has been issued by the education administration, and it remains unclear whether this is a coordinated move or independent decisions by the institutions.

Private schools in Riyadh have notified parents of a shift to remote learning starting Sunday, September 27, through Thursday, October 1. The notices, sent directly to parents, do not specify the reason for the move. One notice from Al Rawad schools stated that classes would be held via the Classera platform. As of morning hours, no official announcement has been made by the Riyadh education administration regarding a widespread shutdown, so it is unclear whether this is a coordinated effort among several private institutions, a directive given directly to them, or independent decisions. The calendar shows that the current week was supposed to be a regular school week, following the Saudi National Day holiday. This comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions with the Houthis: on September 19, the Houthis launched missiles and drones toward "sensitive targets" in the Saudi capital, and Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile. Over the weekend, two drones destined for the Riyadh area were intercepted. In Saudi Arabia, it is common to switch to remote learning during emergencies, but in previous cases, the education administration issued an official announcement and explained the reason. This time, no public explanation has been given, and there is no official confirmation of a direct link to the Houthi threat.