The British Columbia government says new schools and hundreds of places for pupils are opening in several communities as students head back to class next week.

A statement from the Infrastructure Ministry shows nearly 2,200 new seats are opening at schools in seven districts, with more yet to be announced.

A new elementary school is opening in Langford, west of Victoria, with 480 seats for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.

In Trail, the ministry says the new Glenmerry Elementary school fully replaces the old building and expands its capacity, adding 156 new seats for a total of 435.

The province is adding seats throughout the Lower Mainland this fall, including more than 700 across three elementary schools in Surrey.

A statement from Education Minister Lisa Beare says creating

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