A permanent commissioner of education to take over from US expert Henry Johnson is being sought by Government.

The $150,000-a-year postholder will need to have at least 15 years experience in education, with ten at a senior executive management level, preferably as a school principal.

They will report to education permanent secretary Kevin Monkman and be responsible for managing the Ministry of Education's new team of directors, preparing a draft "statement of vision, values and strategy" and implementing plans for improving public schools.

The commissioner post and the restructuring of the Ministry to include three directors follows recommendations in the damning Hopkins Report on public schools last year.

The report revealed that the senior leadership of the Ministry was "dysfunctional" and needed dramatic improvement.

An advert for the commissioner's job shows that other duties will include liaising with boards of governors, managing curriculum, developing pay scales and an incentive plan for principals and teachers, negotiating with unions and promoting good public relations for the education system. The closing date for applications is December 10.

Dr. Johnson, the Island's $250,000-a-year education consultant, agreed to take on the commissioner's duties without a salary increase until a permanent appointment was made. His contract runs out next June.

Principals and senior Ministry officials, meanwhile, are participating in a leadership workshop this week at Elbow Beach in line with recommendations from the Hopkins team.

The two-day event is titled The Leadership Imperative: Leading through Educational Change.