Unions are warning that Tasmanian teachers face a particularly difficult year, and the Education Minister says it is not his fault.

The Tasmanian Education Union says the new year will bring new pressure on schools, as the Department sacks 266 full-time workers while trying to bring about big changes.

The Hodgman Liberal Government was swept to power with a plan to extend more than 20 regional and rural schools to Year 12, in the hope of keeping young people at school.

Figures show that just 32 per cent of Tasmanian students gained their Certificate of Education in 2012.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff says that while cutting hundreds of jobs will increase the strain on teachers, early enrolment stats show more people are looking to finish high school.

“The early pre-enrolment figures are very encouraging,” he told the ABC.

“We've got a 26 per cent increase across the six schools that are implementing our program.”

But union spokesperson Terry Polglase said schools would have to do more with less.

“Everybody will be on their toes from day one,” Mr Polglase said.

“Every teacher will be putting on a very good face, but they will be dealing with more students in their classrooms.

“The students will have fewer offerings, there'll be less alternative programs [and] special support for literacy and numeracy.

“Without a doubt it will be the most difficult year that teachers have ever faced in Tasmania with regard to going back to school.”

Prominent Tasmanian economist and education advocate Saul Eslake told reporters that cultural change would be required to see the state match the educational figures of its counterparts.

“As far back as statistics have been available, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have been bringing up the rear when it comes to Education participation and attainment,” Eslake said.

“For a long time parents have thought; ‘I didn't need a Year 11 or 12 or tertiary education and I've done alright’.”

“[But] the statistics suggest these days that fewer than 20 per cent of the jobs that are available can be done by, or will attract, employment from people with less than a Year 12 education or qualification.”