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.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the affected schools would serve as polling centres for the election across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The ministry said learners, teachers and other staff members in the affected schools had been directed to remain at home on election day as part of measures aimed at ensuring safety and maintaining order during the exercise.
It explained that the decision was taken to protect lives and property while creating a conducive environment for the smooth conduct of the poll within school premises.
The statement added that heads of the affected schools would be contacted directly to ensure compliance with the directive, while officials from zonal and area education offices would monitor enforcement.
The ministry, however, assured parents and candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination that arrangements had been made to ensure the examinations continue without disruption in affected schools.
It also stated that school administrators had been instructed to grant election officials access to facilities needed for the conduct of the election.
The government clarified that the closure applies only to schools designated as polling centres, noting that schools not affected by the electoral exercise should continue normal academic activities.
It added that academic activities in the affected schools would resume on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The ministry urged school heads to promptly communicate the directive to staff, students and other stakeholders within their communities.