Minister Naledi Pandor is high in Education after receiving her PhD.
"I received a phd in education from the University of Pretoria this afternoon. Now there are two doctors in the house." Said Dr Pandor. Picture: Twitter
Maleka Charles
She has probably set a good example to most members of parliament and children across South Africa, that education doesn’t have age restriction.
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Grace Naledi Pandor received her PhD in Education from the University of Pretoria on Tuesday.
Pandor, who has Master’s in Education policy and practice in multi-racial societies, and another in Linguistics made time from her demanding schedule to go and empower herself.
“because it is the discipline I have always had an interest in understanding further. I am a teacher by early training and am fascinated by education.”
“I learnt that there is a vast amount of absolutely fascinating education information that we need to tap into much more than we do today.”
“I also learnt how to use research material and to carry out a very demanding academic schedule.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated the minister for attaining her PhD in education from the University of Pretoria, and said the minister continues to be their inspiration and a proof that nothing is impossible.
“Congratulations are in order for Minister of Higher Education & Training, Dr @NalediPandor, on attainment of her PhD in Education from @UPTuks today. Given her demanding roles and responsibilities, she continues to inspire us and has proven once again, that nothing is impossible.” The President said.
Professor Chika Sehoole, Dean of the Faculty of Education at University of Pretoria said was happy to have supervised his former colleague in the Department of Education.
“After I agreed to supervise her, she set the rules for the relationship. She said to me, 'Now you are my Professor, I am your student. You call me Naledi, and I will call you Professor.’ That was a shocker! I could not believe it, especially given our previous relationship in the Department of Education.”
Naledi Pandor said she was an advocate of continuous learning and advised people to persuade their dreams.
"I am a firm advocate of continuous learning. We should all try to pursue our dreams and learn as much as we can."
"We need to encourage our institutions to be aware of the diversity of persons who may wish to resume their education or attempt new professional studies."
"I don’t see enough attempts at significant drawing in of adults to continuous learning.”
The minister of higher education goes back to her office as Doctor Grace Naledi Pandor.
