In-person classes suspended in 8 Riyadh governorates via the Madrasati platform
The Riyadh Education Department announced the suspension of in-person classes and the shift to distance learning for tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, 2026. This decision applies to all students, as well as all teaching and administrative staff in eight governorates within the region. Classes will be delivered via the "My School" platform and other approved educational platforms, in the interest of everyone's safety and based on reports issued by the National Center for Meteorology regarding expected weather fluctuations.
Governorates included in the decision to suspend in-person classes
The Riyadh Education Department clarified that the governorates where in-person classes have been suspended include: Dawadmi, Zulfi, Majmaah, Ghat, Shaqra, Afif, Ar-Rin, and Al-Quway'iyah. This precautionary measure comes as part of ongoing coordination between educational authorities and weather monitoring agencies to ensure that students and staff are not exposed to any potential risks due to the expected weather conditions in these vast areas.
Digital infrastructure and the role of the “My School” platform in emergency situations
This decision underscores the significant progress the Saudi Arabian education system has made in recent years. Since launching the “My School” platform as a strategic solution during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education has successfully transformed challenges into opportunities. The platform has become an essential and effective tool for ensuring the continuity of education during emergencies and climate crises. It allows students to interact directly with teachers, complete assignments, and follow daily lessons smoothly and easily, thus minimizing learning loss and maintaining the curriculum according to its established schedule.
The importance of coordination between education and meteorology for community safety
The joint coordination between the Ministry of Education and the National Center for Meteorology serves as a model for crisis management and risk prevention at the local level. The decision to suspend in-person classes, based on accurate scientific reports, directly contributes to alleviating traffic congestion and reducing the likelihood of accidents during periods of severe weather, such as heavy rain or strong winds. The importance of this decision extends beyond education, encompassing public peace of mind, as parents can be confident that the safety of their children is always a top priority for decision-makers in the Kingdom.
