Schools in Saudi capital resume in-person classes after sudden reversal of closure decision

Students in Riyadh returned to classrooms on Monday after authorities unexpectedly reversed an earlier decision to keep schools closed for a week.

Schools had been told on Sunday to shift to remote learning, but parents received a new notification late that night saying campuses would reopen for face-to-face classes the following morning.

One message sent to parents said that the decision followed a new directive from the education ministry and confirmed that all Riyadh campuses would resume in-person teaching.

Saudi authorities did not explain why the closure decision was changed.

The two announcements caused confusion among parents, particularly because both were issued late at night.

Quoting one Riyadh parent, AFP reported that families had already prepared for online classes and that children had gone to bed late because they were expecting to stay home the next day.

Another parent questioned why the decision had changed so quickly.

The developments came amid increased tensions in the Gulf and a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi fighters.