By Elizabeth Puranam
The aftershocks continued as Education Minister Anne Tolley visited some of Christchurch’s most seriously damaged schools today.
Up to 15,000 students will be left wondering when they can return to classes or what their school will look like.
Some have transferred to schools around Queenstown, others are going to class as far afield as Auckland.
Hundreds of tertiary students in Canterbury are also in limbo, wondering if they should switch universities.
There are a large number of schools with minimal damage and a decision on when they can re-open is expected mid-week.
But 18 state schools and 11 integrated schools are in the most serious category of damage.
Many parents have pulled their children out of these schools and enrolled them in Queenstown.
At least 45 of them are now enrolled in Arrowtown School, raising the school roll by 10 percent.
The biggest influx of Christchurch enrolments is at Wanaka Primary – top choice because many Cantabrians have holiday homes there.
The school has 65 extra pupils today, another 21 are due tomorrow and 12 more are on the way.
Queenstown Primary is hosting another 30 students.
Today, 22 started at Remarkables Primary.
The inquiries keep coming.
Students are also transferring to schools as far away as Auckland. Auckland Grammar and Saint Cuthberts are both accepting enrolments.
Meanwhile the University of Canterbury is telling staff and students to stay away until further notice – but not for good.
“There will be some students who don’t want to come back to this city. Some will choose to sever their ties with the University of Canterbury, but overwhelmingly our students want to stick with us,” says Vice Chancellor Rod Carr.
However, hundreds have contacted the National Students Association about transferring.
The union says enrolment caps need to be lifted so that students who want to transfer can.
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