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Several private schools in Riyadh have shifted to online classes until October 1 amid renewed Houthi threats and recent drone and missile interceptions by Saudi Arabia.
Chinese teacher Shuaib Ma gives a Mandarin language lesson at a school in Riyadh on February 2, 2025 (AFP image used for representation)
Amid heightened tensions with Houthis, several private schools in Riyadh have shifted to online classes with students set to continue their classes remotely until October 1. This comes days after Saudi Arabia intercepted drones and missiles aimed at parts of the kingdom.
Parents were informed that classroom teaching would not take place from Sunday, September 27, to Thursday, October 1. Schools have instead arranged online lessons. Al-Rowad schools, for instance, told parents that classes would be conducted through the Classera platform, according to a report by the Jerusalem Post.
The schools did not publicly state why they had decided to suspend in-person classes. There has also been no announcement from Riyadh’s education administration ordering all schools in the capital to adopt remote learning.
This has raised questions over whether the private schools took the decision individually, received instructions directly from authorities, or acted after coordinating with one another.
The timing has attracted attention because the week was originally scheduled as a normal academic period. Schools had returned to their regular schedule after the Saudi National Day holidays on September 23 and 24.
Saudi Arabia Faces Fresh Houthi Threat
The decision came a day after Saudi Arabia reported intercepting two drones that were heading towards the Riyadh area. The Saudi-led coalition also said two ballistic missiles launched towards Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia had been intercepted.
At A Glance
Several private schools in Riyadh shifted to online classes until October 1.
Classroom teaching was suspended from Sunday, September 27, to Thursday, October 1.
Al-Rowad schools informed parents that classes would be conducted through the Classera platform.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting two drones heading towards Riyadh and two ballistic missiles towards Khamis Mushait.
On September 19, Houthis claimed to have launched ballistic and cruise missiles along with drones towards Saudi targets.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said Saudi forces were continuing to monitor missile and drone threats directed at the kingdom.
Riyadh has faced Houthi attacks in the past as well. On September 19, the Houthis claimed to have launched ballistic and cruise missiles along with drones towards what they described as sensitive targets in the Saudi capital.
Saudi authorities later said a ballistic missile headed towards Riyadh had been intercepted. They accused the Houthis of attempting to strike civilians and civilian infrastructure in the city.
The latest interceptions have again raised security concerns around the capital, although there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the attacks.
No Official Explanation For School Decision
Saudi schools have previously switched to remote teaching during emergencies, particularly during periods of severe weather. Such decisions have generally been accompanied by announcements from local education authorities explaining the reason.
No similar public explanation had been issued in Riyadh as of Sunday morning.
As a result, there is currently no official confirmation that the decision by the private schools was directly linked to the latest Houthi threats. The move comes, however, at a time of heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis and shortly after the reported interception of drones heading towards the capital.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Several private schools in Riyadh moved to online learning amid heightened tensions and rising Houthi strikes following the interception of drones and missiles aimed at the kingdom. For instance, Al-Rowad schools arranged remote lessons through the Classera platform.
Ask News18About the Author
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More
September 27, 2026, 7:22 PM IST
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