Schools across Riyadh and Diriyah will continue remote learning until October 22, following an extension of precautionary measures. The Riyadh Education General Administration announced the decision on October 17, citing ongoing security concerns and recent attacks targeting the capital. The extension means students and education staff will remain away from classrooms for another week.
The decision applies to students, teachers, and administrative employees across schools in Riyadh and Diriyah governorate. Instead of attending classes in person, students will continue lessons through the Madrasati platform and other approved digital learning systems. Consequently, schools will maintain online teaching arrangements throughout the extended period.
The education administration described the move as part of continuing precautionary measures. It did not, however, announce specific conditions for reopening classrooms or explain whether authorities might extend the arrangement again. For now, the announced schedule keeps remote learning in place until Thursday, October 22.
Universities have also introduced similar arrangements for the coming week. Alfaisal University and Prince Sultan University notified students by email on Saturday that classes would take place remotely. Therefore, the measures affect both school pupils and university students across the capital.
The latest extension follows earlier Riyadh remote learning arrangements introduced on October 11. Schools moved online one day after a missile strike at King Khalid International Airport caused significant casualties. According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation, that attack killed 12 people and injured 309 others.
The victims included four Saudi nationals and eight people of other nationalities. Umrah pilgrims were also among those affected by the airport strike. The following day, another attack struck Terminal 4, killing a Pakistani national and injuring 11 people. Subsequently, airport authorities suspended operations for several days.
Riyadh had already experienced a separate suspension of in-person classes between September 27 and October 1. Authorities introduced those measures after air defences intercepted Houthi drones and ballistic missiles near the capital. The latest decision therefore marks another period of disrupted classroom education this autumn.
Meanwhile, Saudi air defences have continued responding to reported aerial threats in several regions. On Friday, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted and destroyed three drones over Riyadh and the southern region. It also reported intercepting two cruise missiles over the Red Sea and a ballistic missile over Yanbu.
Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said the interceptions occurred during the preceding hours. The coalition also reported that King Khalid International Airport had faced at least 20 targeting attempts during October. These developments have added to the security concerns surrounding the capital and its essential infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia already has experience delivering education remotely during emergencies and other disruptions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education expanded the Madrasati platform to support millions of students studying from home. Since then, schools have continued using digital learning systems during weather-related closures and other interruptions.
The current Riyadh remote learning extension allows educational activities to continue while authorities maintain precautionary measures. However, officials have not provided details about arrangements after October 22. Students, families, and teachers must therefore follow further announcements from the education administration regarding any changes.
The decision highlights how security developments can affect daily routines and educational services across the Kingdom. For families in Riyadh and Diriyah, online classes will remain the primary learning arrangement for another week. Authorities have yet to confirm when students and staff can safely return to classrooms.
