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LIVE: Schools closed to students until at least May 4, says premier

Announcement made this afternoon

Update:

Premier Doug Ford: "Effective immediatley we have extended the order to close publicly funded shools for May 1 for teachers and May 4 for students," said Ford.

Ford said Ontario's early action on closing schools was critical.

"Our medical experts are telling us that the next two weeks are absolutely critical for Ontario. What we do today will determine what we face tomorrow," said Ford.

He said he is prepared to extend closures even further "if we have to."

Ford stressed the importance of pushing back the COVID-19 surge on hospitals.

"As the premier said, we will do whatever it takes to keep students and teachers safe from COVID-19," said Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

New teacher-led online learning supports are coming.

The government has two priorities in mind: Keeping children safe and keeping them engaged in learning. 

New plan will reconnect students with teachers and other school staff, including mental health.

To parents and students in Grade 11 and 12, Lecce said: "We will do whatever it takes to make sure that you graduate this semester," said Lecce.

Ross Romano, minister of Colleges and Universities, said safety "remains our paramount concern."

Six-month on OSAP loan payments "will respect both the Canada as well as the Ontario portions of your Ontario Student Loans."

"Graduates going through a difficult period of time will be able to not be concerned at this particular juncture for those particular payments," said Romano.

Colleges and Universites have been told that $25 million in COVID-19 payments are coming. Romano said the educational institutions themselves will be able to apply them wherever they see fit.

Romano said the province has acquired a solution for online course grading and exams that it says will uphold the integrity of degrees and diplomas granted by Ontario colleges and universities.

Romano said the third-party service will ensure that students are themselves taking their own exams and unable to cheat in other ways. He said the province is covering the cost of the service, which would otherwise cost institutions $30-$50 per student per hour to proctor exams.

Original story:

The Canadian Press and other media are reporting that the province will extend school closures until at least early May.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. and will be joined by Education Minister Stephen Lecce, as well as Deputy Premier and Health Minister Christine Elliott and Ross Romano, minister of Colleges and Universities.

Village Media will carry the livestream

Earlier this month, Lecce ordered schools closed for two weeks following March break, and the premier said last week schools will not be reopening April 6.

Lecce is also expected to announce an e-learning plan for the province's students during COVID-19 school closures.

The government has been looking at ways to keep course work going while school closures continue, including through online classes.

- with files from The Canadian Press