The former international education consultant's most recent position was in Western Australian as the Education Department's regional executive director for the mid-west region.

Mr Andrew oversaw 50 schools in an area 1 1/2 times the size of Victoria, including one remote indigenous community.

``For me the opportunity to come and do something different on the cusp of some changes, with a model that I think presents really good opportunities, is one of the attractive things,'' Mr Andrew said.

``I reckon it's a pretty exciting time for the state. When you look towards the opportunities rather than the issues, then we can achieve a lot.''

Mr Andrew started in the sector as a teacher, then principal at a number of schools before moving into departmental roles. He said he was passionate about the public school system.

Mr Andrew said he was taking on a role that had some similarities to that which he just left but would also include some state and national representation on issues.

He will also take on statewide responsibility for the Aboriginal education portfolio.

His role as general manager will also see him oversee the new principal network leader positions for the North.

The federally-funded positions are well credentialled principals from around the state who will be based in schools and working directly with each on teaching, learning and improving overall student performance.

Mr Andrew said it was a good model and the research showed that such networks could work well together.

He said literacy, numeracy and retention rates were important facets of education to tackle right across the country.

Improved means of learning with the use of technology was also an area Mr Andrew was interested in exploring.

Mr Andrew worked as an international education consultant in northern Vietnam, where he led a teacher training program on co-operative learning methods over a number of years.