Cabinet papers show the Government's $1 billion plan for reorganising Christchurch schools in the wake of the recent Canterbury earthquakes is one of the most expensive options it considered.
The papers say the plan will make the South Island city an education leader, but warn it could be undermined by local opposition.
The business case for reorganising Christchurch schools shows five options for repairing, closing and creating schools that range from $500 million to $1.3 billion
The Cabinet papers show the Government settled on the $1 billion plan because it would address inadequacies that cause poor results for some groups of Christchurch children.
The papers say the plan, announced earlier this year, will be the most significant change ever made to the New Zealand education system.
But the business case warns that community lobbying could result in ad hoc repairs that deviate from the plan.
The $1 billion option will close up to 30 schools and provide modern learning environments at most of the city's schools.
