2023-12-21 19:21:04
Ministry of Education Empowers Principals to Close Schools During Extreme Weather
In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia has granted principals the authority to close schools during nine specific weather phenomena. The move comes as part of the ministry’s effort to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff in the face of extreme weather conditions.
According to the guidelines released by the ministry, the heads of provincial education departments have the power to suspend regular classes in schools and transition to online learning in the event of heavy rainfall (10 to 50 mm and more), dust storms with visibility of one kilometer and less, heavy fog with visibility of one kilometer and less, strong winds of 60 kilometers per hour and more, and extreme cold (7 degrees and below) and heat (51 degrees and above).
Additionally, the ministry has empowered school principals to close schools in the event of strong snowstorms where snow accumulates at a rate of five centimeters per hour, as well as in cases of poor school building conditions after rains, communicable diseases affecting student health, road closures due to international events or official visits, and temporary closure of school buildings for development works or emergency maintenance of facilities.
Education Minister Yusuf Al Bunayan emphasized that the safety and well-being of students are the top priorities, and the decision to transition to online learning during extreme weather or temporary situations is aimed at ensuring the continuity of education while prioritizing safety.
The circular issued by the minister also highlighted that principals have the authority to shift classes to online mode instead of regular classes in case of temporary situations like power failure, non-availability of water in schools for one day, and situations threatening the safety of students such as fire or partial collapse of school buildings.
The move has been welcomed by educators and parents, as it demonstrates a proactive approach to safeguarding students and addressing potential risks during extreme weather conditions. The ministry’s decision to empower school principals to make such determinations reflects a commitment to ensuring the well-being of students and staff across Saudi Arabia.
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