Auditor-General Mike Blake's report into the state's 151 public primary schools found that 17 could be closed.

Six of those - Avoca, Edith Creek, Sprent, Geeveston, Clarendon Vale and Risdon Vale - were strongly recommended for closure while another 11 were potential closure candidates.

Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations president Jenny Eddington is correct to say that it would be traumatic for schools named in the report.

Some have already faced down the potential of forced closures under David Bartlett's Labor government and will be ready to do so again.

But the reality is Tasmania has too many schools that are not running at capacity and this makes them inefficient, both financially and for the best educational outcomes.

It is a particularly Tasmanian attitude that we feel the need for a school in every town - and a hospital in every region - servicing a population of 500,000.

Tell a mainlander that the main reason not to close a school is that it would entail an extra 20 minutes' travel and you will get a bemused stare.

Closing each school would save the government $433,000 on average, or about $7.36 million.

However, the argument for closing schools should not come down to dollars and cents - it must be gauged on the educational outcomes and the needs of communities.

But it is an area the government must bite the bullet on.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff, no doubt wary of the previous government's failed plans, has again ruled out forced closures.

Like council amalgamations the state government is content to put its hands up in the air and wait for those with vested interests to make decisions about their own future.

Although some school communities have recognised this and chosen to work with the Education Department to close, the likelihood of those groups getting to the point needed is slim.