Hundreds of students in selected public schools across Ondo State will be kept out of classrooms on Wednesday as the state government temporarily converts some school facilities into polling centres for the All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly primaries.
The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology confirmed that both primary and secondary schools across all 18 local government areas affected by the arrangement will be closed for the day.
According to the ministry, the decision was taken to ensure security and smooth conduct of the party’s electoral process, which is expected to attract delegates, electoral officials and security personnel to school premises.
In a statement, the ministry directed all students, teachers and non-teaching staff in the affected schools to stay at home on the election day.
“All learners, teachers, and other staff in the affected schools are hereby directed to stay at home on the election day,” the statement read.
The ministry explained that the temporary closure was necessary to guarantee a peaceful and orderly environment for the APC primaries, particularly in schools designated as polling venues.
It added that principals and head teachers of affected schools would be formally notified, while education officers at zonal and area levels have been deployed to ensure compliance across the state.
The closure is expected to disrupt academic activities for one day, as the selected schools will host party officials, delegates, electoral staff and security operatives.
Despite the disruption, the government assured parents and guardians that students sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) would not be adversely affected, especially those in boarding schools.
It said arrangements had been put in place to ensure examinations continue smoothly in affected centres.
The ministry further stated that normal academic activities would resume on Thursday, May 21, 2026, after the conclusion of the primaries.
Meanwhile, concerns have continued to trail the APC primaries, with allegations of imposition, lack of transparency and internal bias raised by some aspirants and party stakeholders.
