Schools in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, returned to in-person learning after a temporary closure, according to Arab News, citing AFP. The reversal followed a last-minute shift to remote learning that had been announced to parents days earlier.
Parents received messages from schools on Sunday announcing the switch to remote learning for a week, France 24 and The Straits Times reported. No official reason was given for the decision.
The move came amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and near-daily attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen, according to Arab News and France 24.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the academic calendar had scheduled the week as a regular school week following the Saudi National Day holiday on September 23 and 24, making the shift to remote learning unexpected.
How each side covered it
Center
- Reported that Riyadh schools shifted to remote learning for a week starting Sunday.
- Noted no official reason was given for the decision.
- Linked the move to heightened Gulf tensions and near-daily Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
- Arab News reported schools later reopened for in-person learning.
“Parents across Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh received messages from schools on Sunday announcing a last-minute plan to shift to remote learning for a week.” — France 24
Right
- Highlighted that the shift to remote learning came without warning.
- Noted the academic calendar had scheduled the week as a normal school week after the Saudi National Day holiday on September 23-24.
“The academic calendar shows that the current week was scheduled as a regular school week after the Saudi National Day holiday on September 23 and 24.” — The Jerusalem Post
Questions readers ask
What happened at schools in Riyadh?
Schools in Riyadh unexpectedly shifted to remote learning for a week, then later returned to in-person classes, according to Arab News, France 24 and The Straits Times.
Why did Riyadh schools switch to remote learning?
No official reason was given, according to France 24 and The Straits Times, though the move came amid heightened Gulf tensions and near-daily attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen.
When did the change occur?
Parents were notified on a Sunday, according to France 24, and The Jerusalem Post noted the week had been scheduled as a regular school week following the Saudi National Day holiday on September 23 and 24.
What did center- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Center outlets emphasized the lack of an official explanation and the regional tensions, while The Jerusalem Post, a right-leaning outlet, highlighted that the shift was unexpected given the academic calendar.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- Arab NewsCenterSaudi authorities shift schools in Riyadh to remote learning for week: AFP
- France 24CenterSaudi schools adopt remote learning amid mounting Gulf tensions
- The Straits TimesCenterSaudi authorities shift schools in Riyadh to remote learning for week
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningSchools in Riyadh move to remote learning without warning amid renewed Saudi-Houthi tensions