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The Opposition has vowed to make all high schools offer year 11 and 12 in 10 years if it is elected at the next election in a bid to improve retention rates.

Mr Ferguson said he wrote to all school associations and local councils last year to gauge their interest and begin consultation.

''It's very encouraging seeing schools actually enthusiastically putting their hands up, saying they want to do this,'' Mr Ferguson said.

But the Opposition is yet to explain how the policy will be implemented and how much it will cost.

Mr Ferguson said he was planning to consult further during the next six months, before releasing further details, including the priority areas.

He listed Scottsdale, George Town, Deloraine, Ulverstone and Smithton as among areas where students were most disadvantaged.

The Australian Education Union remains doubtful about the policy.

Outgoing AEU Tasmanian president Leanne Wright said more research needed to be done before undertaking any major changes to the education system.

Ms Wright said Launceston's two colleges already specialised in further education to remain viable.

``If that's a problem in one town between two colleges, imagine trying to provide a broad range of courses across a number of high schools,'' Ms Wright said.

Eighteen schools in regional locations provided programs for year 11 and 12 students last year.

Earlier this week, Acting Education Minister Brian Wightman said the Liberals policy had ``sent a shudder through Tasmanian colleges''.

''The Opposition should also be well aware that providing education to year 12 level in every high and district high school, while also keeping the colleges open is both unsustainable and extraordinarily expensive, delivering more cost and less outcomes.''

Mr Ferguson maintained that colleges would be retained and the model of providing year 11 and 12 education would be tailored to each area.