Classes in Medina will be suspended tomorrow, Tuesday, and will be switched to distance learning

The General Directorate of Education in Madinah officially announced the suspension of in-person classes for tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 Jumada al-Thani 1447 AH, and the shift to distance learning via the “My School” platform for students at all grade levels, and the “My Kindergarten” platform for kindergarten students. This decision includes all schools under the Directorate’s jurisdiction and the education offices in its affiliated governorates and centers.

Areas covered by the suspension decision

The administration clarified in its statement that the decision to switch to distance learning is not limited to the city of Medina alone, but extends to its affiliated governorates: Yanbu, Al-Mahd, Khaybar, Wadi Al-Fara, Badr, and Al-Hanakiya. This precautionary measure comes as an immediate response to reports and warnings received from the National Center for Meteorology, and out of the educational leadership's concern for the safety of students, teachers, and administrative staff in light of the heavy rainfall the region is experiencing.

Digital transformation and the continuity of education in the Kingdom

This measure is tangible proof of the success of the digital transformation strategy in the Saudi Arabian education sector, where harsh weather conditions are no longer an obstacle to continued learning. The “My School” platform, a leading national model globally in e-learning, allows the school day to continue normally and interactively, ensuring that the curriculum is not affected and students do not lose any learning hours. This seamless transition reflects the high level of preparedness and flexibility of the Ministry of Education in dealing with crises and emergencies, leveraging the advanced technological infrastructure invested in over the past years as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Weather details and red alert

The decision to suspend in-person classes was based on the “red” alerts issued by the National Center for Meteorology, indicating that the Medina and Mecca regions were experiencing very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, thunderstorms, and a sharp decrease in horizontal visibility. The center warned that this rainy weather would continue until late this evening, with forecasts of continued weather fluctuations and instability.

Weather forecast for the rest of the Kingdom

In related weather news, the National Center for Meteorology reported that the rainy conditions are not limited to Medina and Mecca, but extend across a wide geographical area of ​​the Kingdom. Forecasts indicate varying intensities of thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by flash floods and hail, in the regions of Asir, Al-Baha, Tabuk, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders. The forecast also extends to the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province, including coastal cities such as Jeddah and Taif. These unstable weather conditions are expected to continue until next Thursday, urging everyone to take precautions, stay away from floodplains and valleys, and follow the safety guidelines issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense.