RIYADH — Schools and other educational institutions will remain closed across Saudi Arabia from Monday until further notice as part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday quoting the Ministry of Education. "It was decided to suspend studies temporarily in all regions and governorates of the Kingdom from Monday, March 9 until further notice, and the decision covers all public and private schools and institutions of education, as well as the public and private technical and vocational training institutions," the ministry said in a statement carried by SPA. Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Interior cordoned off the Qatif region in the Eastern Province in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus after discovering that all the 11 affected persons in the Kingdom are from the said region. Meanwhile, Minister of Education directed that virtual schools and distance education be activated while the schools are closed to ensure that the educational process continues in an effective way, while maintaining the quality. "The decision to suspend all educational studies was taken in accordance with the preventive and precautionary measures recommended by the competent health authorities in the Kingdom as part of efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, and it is based on the government's concern to protect the health and ensure safety of students as well as the educational and administrative staff in public and university education," the statement added. The ministry said that the concerned committee in the ministry decided to follow the developments of the coronavirus while taking a number of measures. Accordingly, supervision offices would start their work during the suspension period to follow the educational process, coordinate the procedures for distance education, and respond to parents' inquiries. The functioning of the virtual school will be ensured during the suspension period through the distance learning methods provided by the ministry through the virtual school platform (Vschool.sa), and the use of digital enrichment materials via the site and application in the Apple and Android application store under the name "Standard Education System." Lessons for all levels of study will be made available asynchronously through the Ain channel, which is aired on the Arabsat frequency 12437 vertical through 14 TV channels, and the YouTube link: www.youtube.com/dorosien It has also been also decided that universities, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and the National Center for E-Learning should complete the distance education requirements for all male and female students. — SG
