By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Ondo State Government has announced the temporary closure of selected public primary and secondary schools across the state ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly primary election scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday).
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the affected schools are those designated as polling centres for the exercise across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The government directed learners, teachers and other staff in the affected schools to remain at home on the election day as part of measures aimed at ensuring safety, security and the peaceful conduct of the primaries.
The ministry explained that the directive became necessary to protect lives and property and to create a conducive atmosphere for the electoral process within school premises.
It added that heads of affected schools would be contacted directly to ensure strict compliance with the directive, while officials from the Zonal and Area Education Offices would monitor enforcement across the affected local governments.
The statement, however, clarified that the closure applies only to schools selected as polling centres, stressing that schools not affected by the arrangement are expected to continue with normal academic activities without disruption.
The ministry also assured that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC-SSCE) in affected schools, particularly for students in boarding facilities.
School administrators were further directed to cooperate with election officials by granting access to school premises and making available necessary infrastructure and facilities required for the conduct of the primaries.
The government stated that normal academic activities would resume in the affected schools on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The ministry urged school heads to communicate the directive promptly to parents, learners, teachers and other stakeholders within their various school communities.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining a safe, secure and uninterrupted learning environment across Ondo State.
PRESS RELEASE
TEMPORARY CLOSE DOWN OF SELECTED SCHOOL FOR HOA PRIMARY ELECTION
The Ondo State Government has temporary closed down some selected schools in the state for the House of Assembly Elections scheduled to hold on 20th May 2026.
According to a statement released by the office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Akindele Ige, the schools affected are:
St. Peter’s Demonstration Primary School – Oyemekun Road, Akure.
2.St. Theresa’s RCM Primary School – Akure.
3.St. Finbarr’s RCM Primary School – Akure.
4.St. Peter’s Primary School – Amudipe, Akure.
5.Ebenezer A/C Primary School – Amudipe, Akure.
6.Methodist Primary School – Gogi, Akure.
7.Iloro CPS Primary School – Owe Akala, Oke Aro, Akure.
8.St. Stephen’s Primary School – Ijomu, Akure.
9.St. Anthony’s RCM Primary School – Araromi, Akure.
10.St. Francis RCM Primary School – Oke Paadi, Akure.
11.St Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure.
Akindele said the closure is part of safety and security measures put in place to ensure the safety of lives and property and to facilitate peaceful, secure and orderly conduct of the electoral process within the school environment.
He therefore directed all learners, teachers, and other staff in the affected schools to stay at home on the election day.
Furthermore, He promised that all 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.
He urged the Staff of the Zonal and Area Education Offices in the concerned schools and Local Government Areas to be available to support and enforce the directive.
He said adequate arrangements would 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.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that normal academic activities shall, however, resume in the affected schools on Thursday, 21st May, 2026.
Signed:
Bisi Lawani
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
