Minister for Education Selena Uibo announced the new chief last Friday, following an extensive nation-wide search.

"The Territory Labor Government puts children at the centre of all decisions it makes and so the leadership of the Department of Education is one of the Northern Territory's most important jobs," Ms Uibo said.

"Karen Weston brings a wealth of knowledge to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Education.

"Her extensive experience in early childhood education particularly aligns with our government's goals to focus on generational change and to be the most improved education system in the country."

Hailing from South Australia's Department for Education, Ms Weston has been a key player in reforming a number of programs surrounding early childhood, inclusion and Indigenous education.

She has more than 20 years of experience in the education sector, with particular expertise in early childhood education and broader school reforms.

"Ms Weston joins NT Education at an important time; our government has delivered successive record education budgets, we have seen recent improvements in our NAPLAN scores and last year, we had our highest ever Year 12 completion rates, including record Aboriginal student completion rates," Ms Uibo said.

"I have every confidence Ms Watson will effectively manage the Northern Territory Department of Education, including its $1.16 billion budget, 4000 staff and, of course, the Territory's most important asset: our children.

"I thank Deputy Chief Executive Leanne Nixon for acting in the role while the recruitment process was undertaken and I warmly welcome our new Chief Executive to her role."

Ms Weston will formally start in the role on Monday, March 23.

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