ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Permanent secretary

A permanent secretary is like the teacher's helper in school. They help the principal, who is like the boss of the school, with all the important work that needs to be done to make sure the school runs smoothly.

Just like how teachers have their own classrooms and responsibilities, the different departments in a government also have their own tasks and responsibilities. And just like how teachers need help with paperwork or organizing events, departments in the government also need help with things like budgets, policies and procedures, and communicating with the public.

The permanent secretary helps the department head (who is like the principal) with all these tasks. They make sure that everything is organized, that everyone knows what they're supposed to do, and that the department is running smoothly. They also help the department head make important decisions by providing them with all the necessary information and research.

The permanent secretary is a really important person in the government because they help keep everything running smoothly and make sure that decisions are made in the best interests of the people.