The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has announced the temporary closure of selected public primary and secondary schools ahead of the State House of Assembly election scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The ministry said the affected schools would serve as polling centres for the election across the 18 local government areas of the state.
In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, learners, teachers and other members of staff in the affected schools were directed to remain at home on the election day as part of security and safety measures.
The ministry explained that the directive was aimed at ensuring the protection of lives and property as well as creating a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of the election.
It added that principals and head teachers of the affected schools would be contacted directly to ensure strict compliance with the closure order, while officials from Zonal and Area Education Offices would monitor enforcement.
The statement, however, assured parents and candidates that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure that the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination would not be disrupted in the affected schools.
The ministry also directed school administrators to grant election officials access to school facilities and other necessary infrastructure needed for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
It clarified that the closure applies only to schools designated as polling centres, adding that normal academic activities would resume in the affected schools on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
