More than 50 school pupils have already enrolled in Otago schools after fleeing the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch last Tuesday, and some principals believe enrolment numbers could skyrocket in the week ahead.
Education Minister Anne Tolley said schools and early childhood education services in Christchurch would remain closed until further notice, as the extent of damage to school property became clearer.
The ministry has now identified 18 state schools with major damage, in addition to 11 state-integrated schools and five independent schools which have reported significant damage.
To date, 100 schools have been assessed as having minor damage.
Otago Primary Principals' Association president Bernadette Newlands said she knew of about 30 pupils from Christchurch who had enrolled in primary schools around Dunedin, but believed there might be more around the region.
She was certain enrolments from Christchurch during the next week would increase.
"It's going to be an evolving situation, with a lot more Christchurch families inquiring about sending their children to Otago this week.
"If Christchurch schools aren't going to open for another month or so, the numbers moving south could skyrocket," she said.
Palmerston Primary School principal Gareth Taylor confirmed six pupils from Christchurch would be starting school there today.
The school would welcome further enrolments because it was one way it could assist Christchurch people, he said.
Otago Secondary Principals' Association president Julie Anderson also predicted an increase.
She said about 20 pupils had enrolled in secondary schools around the Otago region and there had been a similar number of inquiries from parents about enrolment.
"Some are coming with their parents to live in Dunedin, but many are coming to live with close relatives, just to get a break away from the trauma in Christchurch."
Secondary principals from around the region met on Friday to discuss the situation, and all were committed to opening their schools for pupils wanting to come south.
Mrs Tolley said the ministry was working on plans to get pupils back into some form of learning as quickly as possible.
"This range of options includes temporary sites for some schools, teaching in relocatable classrooms which are being sourced from around New Zealand, and providing relief teacher support where necessary."
In the meantime, Christchurch teachers are being urged to stay away from their classrooms for their own safety.
