Last updated: 9 November 2026
Current status (9 November 2026): Schools in Riyadh city and the Diriyah Governorate are moving to remote learning from Tuesday 10 November 2026 as a precautionary measure, through Madrasati and other approved platforms. Many private and international schools are informing parents directly. The exact start time can differ by school, so always follow the message from your own school. We update this box whenever the schedule changes.
From time to time, schools across Riyadh switch from face to face lessons to remote learning, which means pupils study online from home for a set period. When this happens, the two things parents need fast are a reliable way to check whether their own school is online, and a clear idea of how the online day works. This guide explains how to check, which platforms are used, how to log in to Madrasati, and what to do during a remote learning spell.
How to check if your child’s school is online
Announcements usually reach parents through the school before they appear anywhere else, so check these in order:
- Your school’s own channel first: the parent app, the class WhatsApp group, SMS or email. This is the fastest and most accurate source for your child.
- The school’s official social media page, where many schools post a notice for all families at once.
- The Ministry of Education and the Riyadh education authority channels, which publish wider updates when a directive covers the whole city.
- Keep notifications switched on for the school app and group so you do not miss a late change the evening before.
If you see a claim shared on social media with no school name and no official source, treat it as unconfirmed until your school or an official channel repeats it.
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Which platform will be used
- Government schools use Madrasati, the Ministry of Education’s official learning platform, for live lessons, attendance and assignments.
- Private and international schools use their own systems, most often Classera, Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Classroom. Your school will tell you which one and share the login.
How to log in to Madrasati
For government schools, pupils sign in to Madrasati with the account linked to their Nafath or Tawakkalna details, then open their timetable to join each live class. If you are new to the platform or your child cannot sign in, our step by step Madrasati platform login guide walks through creating and recovering the account and joining a lesson.
What parents should do during remote learning
- Check the timetable the night before and have the laptop or tablet charged and the login ready.
- Set up a quiet place with a reliable internet connection so your child can hear and be heard in live classes.
- Make sure attendance is marked. On most platforms a pupil who does not join the live class is recorded as absent.
- Keep an eye on assignments and submission deadlines, which continue as normal during online days.
- Save the school’s contact for the IT or class teacher so you can report a login or connection problem quickly.
Why Riyadh schools switch to remote learning
Education authorities move lessons online as a precautionary step so that learning carries on without interruption. This has happened more than once in recent terms, usually at short notice and for a limited period, before pupils return to the classroom. Because it can recur, it is worth knowing your school’s platform and keeping the login details to hand so a switch to online classes is simple to manage.
For background on how distance learning has been used in other regions, see our explainer on the Saudi schools distance learning plan. If you are weighing up schools, our guide to the best international schools in Saudi Arabia may help.
Common questions
Are all schools in Riyadh online?
Government schools follow the education authority’s directive, and many private and international schools follow as well. The exact timing can differ by school, so check the message from your own school to be sure.
Is remote learning the same as a holiday?
No. Lessons continue online, attendance is usually taken, and assignments are set as normal. Only the location changes, from the classroom to home.
How long does remote learning last?
It is set for a limited period and can be extended or ended depending on the situation. Schools announce any change, so keep notifications on.
Where is the official announcement?
Schools send it directly to parents through their app, group or email. The Ministry of Education and the Riyadh education authority also publish updates on their official channels when a directive covers the whole city.