The Opposition Progressive Conservatives are hearing there could be teaching jobs cut in P.E.I.'s budget next week, and the government isn't denying the possibility.

'Really, it's 40 positions.'— Education Minister Doug Currie

Education critic Mike Currie tried to pin the minister down on job security for teachers during question period Tuesday.

While eight schools were closed last year to deal with declining enrolments, there were no cuts in the number of teaching positions.

"There was a freeze on those teachers from those schools that were closed last year," said Currie.

"They said they would not let any teachers go last year, but it's my understanding that there's 30 teachers that might not be part of the system next year."

Education Minister Doug Currie said the government kept more teachers in the classrooms last year than it should have, and with enrolment expected to decline this fall the situation is actually worse than the Opposition suggests.

"If you're looking at the staffing model, 20 positions were to come out of the system last year and we held those positions," he said.

"Technically this year there's 20 more positions supposed to come out of the system, so really, it's 40 positions."

The minister did not say that means there will be 40 teaching positions cut in next week's budget, but he did provide a hint about where his priorities are.

"From a budget perspective, it's just not about the teacher in front of the classroom — who's obviously very important -— but what supports need to be in place to support the classroom teacher to meet the needs of children," he said.

Those supports include a number of other positions in the school system, including youth service workers, educational assistants, counsellors, and psychologists.