Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday unveiled details of the federal government's offer to state, promising to cover two-thirds of the additional cost required to implement the Gonski reforms. 

Under the proposed model, an extra $400 million would be pumped into Tasmania's public schools between 2014 and 2019. However, that relies on the cash-strapped state government agreeing to meet its share which works out at about $140 million.  

Tasmania has been a strong supporter of the Gonski reforms, but Ms Giddings said yesterday that negotiations on the final state contribution were continuing. 

``The state government is willing to meet its share but only of a funding proposal that ensures the money flows to the areas of greatest educational need,'' Ms Giddings said. 

``We want to see Tasmania's strong and vibrant public schools continue to grow and prosper with funding that recognises the increased levels of social and economic disadvantage among their student population.''

Ms Giddings will attend a meeting of all state premiers and the Prime Minister on Friday where the issue will dominate the agenda. 

The reforms would cost the federal government $9.4 billion over six years which would be partly funded by a $2.8 billion cut to tertiary education. 

University of Tasmania vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen was surprised at the planned cuts to university funding and was still assessing the impact yesterday. 

``As the only university in Tasmania, with a broad agenda to support higher education across the state, these cuts will have particular impact on UTAS,'' Dr Rathjen said. 

``The latest announcements follow substantial cuts at the end of last year to research infrastructure and to pathways into higher education for disadvantaged students, both priorities for UTAS.

``We note with concern suggestions that the resulting shortfall should be met by reductions in the university workforce or by increases in class sizes. Reduced budgets will also complicate the enterprise bargain negotiations that are under way.''

Australian Education Union Tasmanian president Terry Polglase said the government had to find a way to meet the cost. 

``It's certainly not our preferred option, we'd rather see nothing cut from education, but it's absolutely essential Gonski is implemented,'' Mr Polglase said. 

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the Gonski recommendations provided the federal government a once in a lifetime opportunity to reform education funding, but instead it had gone with a political fix. 

The fact Labor wanted to cut into university funding to pay for its schools plan was ``genuinely appalling'', Mr Wilkie said.