Teacher cuts prompt unofficial protest at Coles Building

About 100 people turned out for an unofficial rally against the province's recent announcement that it will cut 28 teachers from the English Language School Board.

• 28 teaching positions eliminated at English board

The crowd chanted "reinstate 28" and children held up handmade signs.

Politicians, including Progressive Conservative Leader Rob Lantz, Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker and Education Minister Hal Perry addressed the crowd.

An official rally was supposed to take place at this time, but Gilles Arsenault, the president of the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation, cancelled it Monday night, after the province announced it would review its decision to cut the positions.

On Tuesday morning,Arsenault sent an email to teachers saying the federation did not support teachers attending the rally.

• Arsenault's email to teachers

"It is a positive for teachers to be so supported," read the email

"However, a non-united front will not have the same sort of impact we would have together. There may be another time when this type of united public display is required, but right now, we feel the Island education system is better served working with government."

On Tuesday morning, Arsenault confirmed to CBC News that he has accepted a job with the province as co-ordinator of French programs.

Last week the teachers' federation walked out on contract negotiations with the province, saying government 'engaged in bad faith bargaining' for announcing the cuts during talks.

See live blog here.