Local authorities in Iran’s Alborz province have suspended in-person classes for primary, kindergarten and pre-school pupils in the towns of Taleqan and Asara as a precaution against an incoming cold snap, officials said.
Mohammadreza Fallahnejad, Director-General of Crisis Management for Alborz province, told Mehr News Agency that the decision was taken after weather forecasts indicated a period of extreme cold that could make travel hazardous and pose health risks for young children.
Iran school closures
The suspension affects pupils at primary schools, kindergartens and pre‑school centres in the two towns. Authorities have instructed education and municipal departments to halt face-to-face lessons and switch to remote learning where possible until conditions improve. Fallahnejad added that the measure aims to reduce unnecessary journeys on icy roads and to protect the wellbeing of pupils and school staff.
In a further move to ease the burden on families, provincial officials said mothers who have children in affected early-years settings may be permitted to work from home during the temporary closures. The arrangement is intended to help parents balance childcare and employment while ensuring young children remain safe and supervised at home.
The towns of Taleqan and Asara lie in the mountainous northern reaches of Alborz province where winter weather can bring sharp drops in temperature, heavy frost and occasional snowfall. Local authorities said transport services and road maintenance teams will be on heightened alert to keep main routes passable, but warned that secondary and rural roads may remain hazardous until the cold spell passes.
School closures due to weather are not uncommon in Iran’s highland districts, where extreme conditions can interrupt daily life and present risks to vulnerable groups. The provincial crisis management office said that education officials will monitor forecasts and public safety indicators closely and will announce a timetable for a return to normal classes once conditions are deemed safe.
Parents and carers were urged to follow official guidance from local health and education authorities, including keeping children warm, limiting exposure to cold when travel is necessary, and using remote learning platforms provided by schools. Schools affected by the decision have been asked to communicate lesson plans and materials to families to minimise disruption to students’ studies.
Fallahnejad emphasised that the decision was preventive and rooted in concern for public safety. “We are taking steps to protect pupils and staff by reducing travel and exposure during this anticipated period of very low temperatures,” he said, according to the provincial statement.
Officials also noted that emergency services and local councils are coordinating to support families who may face heating difficulties or other weather-related challenges. Authorities encouraged residents to report urgent needs through established municipal channels so assistance can be prioritised.
As forecasts are updated, the provincial crisis management office will provide further information on the duration of the remote-learning period and on when schools in Taleqan and Asara can safely reopen for in-person classes.
Key Takeaways:
- Local authorities in Alborz province have suspended in-person classes for primary, kindergarten and pre‑school pupils in Taleqan and Asara due to a severe cold spell.
- The decision allows mothers of young children to work remotely to care for their children while schools are closed.
- The measure, announced by Mohammadreza Fallahnejad of the provincial crisis management office, responds to weather forecasts predicting dangerous low temperatures.
