A former school head teacher and Methodist church minister has been appointed Tonga's education minister.
A government statement says Doctor Tevita Hala Palefau, took up the role yesterday, in place of the former interim minister, Mr Paula Bloomfield.
The statement says Doctor Palefau was - this year - a PhD scholar at the University of Toronto in Canada.
Doctor Palefau was the Principal of Taufa'ahau Pilolevu College of Ha'apai from 1996-97, and the Principal of Tupou College from 1997-2000.
He has been a methodist minister for seven years.
