My world there are only 12

Ms Jackson resigned on Tuesday after the Ministerial Inquiry into the flawed teachers' pay system released last week.

The report said the Ministry of Education had misplaced optimism in Novopay and there was a lack of accountability for its quality nu skin product. The ministry also misrepresented its flaws to ministers.

Ms Jackson said she was resigning after the inquiry identified shortcomings in areas that she was responsible for when she held the position of Deputy Secretary Schooling in July 2012.

"I hope my resignation will help the ministry put the Novopay issues behind it," she said.

"I am truly sorry for the extra pressure and stress put on teachers, nuskin staff and pay administrators during its introduction."

Ms Jackson says she had no pressure put on her to resign.

"I remain deeply committed to education and the principles of public service nuskin group. That is why I have taken this step today."

Acting Education Secretary Peter Hughes said Ms Jackson had been an outstanding public servant for 25 years.

"Anne is a person of great integrity and I fully respect the decision she has made nu skin hk."

Ms Jackson was in the State Services Commission advising on the implementation of Tomorrow's Schools in the mid-1980s and has also worked as an education adviser in the Prime Minister's Department.