Education Minister Anne Tolley says about six or seven schools in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch have a major problem with liquefaction following Monday's earthquakes.
Mrs Tolley says initial assessments show there was little other physical damage to school properties.
The minister says about 5000 students are still attending school elsewhere as a result of the devastating quake on 22 February and similar arrangements will be made for other students who need them.
Mrs Tolley says the majority of the city's primary and secondary schools will be open on Wednesday or Thursday.
Parents should keep in touch with the Ministry of Education or their local schools for updates.
Closures on Tuesday 'precautionary'
Cashmere High School principal Mark Wilson says the decision by the Education Ministry of Education to close all schools on Tuesday is mainly precautionary.
Mr Wilson says his school had not suffered a lot of damage and from what he understands, many others were in a similar situation. However, the buildings need to be checked so they can reassure people it is safe to return.
Mr Wilson told Morning Report the closures are more of a precautionary measure - as much for people's emotional well being as anything else.
Cashmere High shares its campus with Linwood College due to damaged caused to the college in the February quake.
