Classes suspended in 5 governorates of Medina on Sunday
The General Directorate of Education in the Madinah region officially announced the suspension of in-person classes for tomorrow, Sunday, Jumada al-Thani 16, 1447 AH, in several of its affiliated governorates. This decision comes in response to reports and warnings received from the National Center for Meteorology, and out of concern for the safety of students, teachers, and administrative staff from potential hazards resulting from the weather fluctuations.
The administration clarified via its official social media account that the suspension includes schools in the governorates of Yanbu, Badr, Al-Ais, Al-Ula, and Wadi Al-Fara . The administration emphasized that the educational process will not be interrupted but will continue remotely through the "My School" platform for all students in public, private, and international schools, ensuring that the academic plan and curriculum are not affected.
Safety priority and weather warnings
This precautionary measure aligns with the advanced warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology, which typically indicate atmospheric instability and moderate to heavy rainfall during such periods. This could lead to flash floods and reduced horizontal visibility. The aforementioned governorates, particularly Wadi Al-Fara', Al-Ais, and Al-Ula, are characterized by their rugged terrain, with numerous valleys and wadis, making travel during heavy rainfall extremely hazardous. This necessitates proactive measures to protect lives and property, a primary consideration for the Ministry of Education in its decisions.
Digital transformation and the continuity of education
This decision highlights the success of Saudi Arabia in its digital transformation of the education sector; weather conditions are no longer an obstacle to continued learning, as was the case in previous years. The “My School” platform is a sophisticated technological model that ensures the uninterrupted continuation of the daily academic schedule, thus reinforcing the concept of “continuous education” in all circumstances and crises.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Education had previously granted education directors in regions and governorates full powers to suspend in-person classes, based on field data and reports from relevant authorities (meteorology and civil defense), which reflects high flexibility and decentralization in crisis and emergency management in a manner appropriate to the nature of each geographical area.
The relevant authorities always urge parents and students to follow the instructions of the General Directorate of Civil Defense during these weather conditions, and to stay away from flood channels, valleys and low areas, while adhering to following the official channels to find out the latest developments in the academic and weather situation first-hand.
