Education Minister Dominic Cardy: unless situation changes, schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year and the school calendar "will not be extended."

"In the days to come" districts will be in touch with parents about home learning plans.

Home learning options will involve one to 2.5 hours of learning time per day. Cardy also asking parents to see to it kids read for at least 30 minutes per day.

Parents will have a "key role" in this but "we are not asking them to recreate a classroom in their home or take on the full role of a teacher."

Cardy: we also recognize some families don't have technology capacity for online learning options; they can work with district personnel to find ways to help their children.

All students who were "on track" to graduate from Grade 12 this spring will graduate and receive a diploma.

And other students will also move on to next academic year when school resumes.