Peter Hughes appointed head of the Ministry of Education

Peter Hughes. Photo / Ross Setford

Acting Secretary for Education Peter Hughes has been appointed head of the Ministry of Education.

Deputy State Services Commissioner Sandi Beatie announced today that Mr Hughes will officially carry on the secretary for education and chief executive roles at the ministry after Lesley Longstone resigned last year.

Mr Hughes has been acting in the role since February this year, following the resignation of Ms Longstone, who was paid out $425,000.

"I applied for the permanent role because education is at the heart of helping children and young people be the very best they can be," Mr Hughes said.

Peter Hughes has spent his career working solely in the state sector.

He started as a clerk in the Department of Social Welfare.

Mr Hughes has previously been chief executive of the Health Funding Authority, Department of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Social Development.

He was also head of school and professor of public management at the Victoria University School of Government.