Coronavirus: Schools warned to be careful of mental health on reopening

Education advisors are warning that children could suffer mental health problems for years to come if schools botch their return to the classroom.

They say the Christchurch earthquakes and Australian bushfires show teachers should resist the temptation to launch straight back into normal lessons after a major event.

Principals are hoping to learn today when they will move into alert level two and how many of their students will be able to return to school.

RNZ's education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.