PRESS RELEASE.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SELECTED PUBLIC PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR THE ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTION.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ondo State, hereby informs the general public, particularly parents, guardians, learners, teachers, and school administrators, that the State House of Assembly Election scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 20th May, 2026, across the eighteen (18) Local Government Areas of the State, will utilize some selected public primary and secondary schools as designated polling centres.

In light of this development and as part of safety and security measures, all learners, teachers, and other staff in the affected schools are hereby directed to stay at home on the election day. This directive is issued to ensure the safety of lives and property and to facilitate the peaceful, secure, and orderly conduct of the electoral process within school environments.

Furthermore, the heads of all affected schools will be contacted directly via telephone to ensure strict compliance with the closure directive and to reinforce effective enforcement at the school level, in addition to this official press release. Staff of the Zonal and Area Education Offices in the concerned schools and Local Government Areas will also be available to support and enforce the directive.

Adequate arrangements will be made by school administrators to ensure the continuity of WAEC-SSCE examinations in the affected schools, while also ensuring the safety and security of students in boarding schools.

School administrators are also enjoined to grant access to the affected schools and make available to election officials the necessary infrastructure and facilities to ensure the smooth conduct of the election in the respective schools.

It is important to emphasize that this directive applies only to schools designated as polling centres. Schools not affected by the electoral arrangement are expected to continue their normal academic activities without disruption.
Normal academic activities shall, however, resume in the affected schools on Thursday, 21st May, 2026.

School heads are advised to ensure that this information is promptly and widely communicated to all staff, learners, and relevant stakeholders within their school communities.

The Ministry appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders and remains committed to ensuring a safe, secure, and uninterrupted learning environment across the State.

Signed:
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Ondo State.