Veteran Lowveld teacher Dr Louise Fullard, who has been in education since 1993, was recently conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education by North West University. Fullard began her PhD journey in March last year, ultimately completing and submitting her thesis in May this year, meaning she finished her PhD in record time.

Her doctoral research focused on transforming education in ways that uplift and empower rural communities. Due to her ranking within the top 15% of her academic discipline, she received recognition from North West University as an Golden Key International Honour Society member.

Her PhD thesis, titled ‘A comparative study of the Pilot Smart Secondary School Project’s effectiveness in transforming education in rural South African schools’, marks a groundbreaking step for digital learning in Mpumalanga and beyond.

“My research examined an innovative pilot education transformation implementation model, implemented in eight rural schools across Mpumalanga, where teachers and learners were equipped with digital devices, data, training and access to virtual classrooms through Moodle,” Fullard explained. “Over the course of an academic year, I evaluated how technology reshaped teaching and learning in these communities.”

In a media release, the Mpumalanga Department of Education (DoE) congratulated Fullard on her achievement. “Dr Fullard’s work stands as a model for education systems around the world striving to embrace meaningful digital innovation. She is an inspiration to the teaching profession and a shining example of what dedication, hard work, and vision can achieve. Well done, Dr Fullard, you are our shining star!”

Born and raised in Mbombela, Fullard (55) attended Laerskool Bergland and Hoërskool Nelspruit, matriculating from the latter in 1988. After matriculating, she completed one year of military service at the South African Army Women’s College in George in 1989.

Her teaching journey began in 1993 when she completed a Higher Diploma in Education from the Pretoria College of Education, and what a journey it has been. She started out at Laerskool Generaal Nicolaas Smit before going on to teach at Doxa Deo Private School, Creston College and Kingsmead College until 2011.

But no matter where she went, her heart yearned for the Lowveld and in 2011 she returned as a teacher and subject head at Lowveld High School until 2013. In 2014, Fullard moved to Hoërskool Bergvlam where she taught Afrikaans first additional language and was departmental head of mathematics, Afrikaans (home and first additional language), geography and social sciences.

In 2023 her time in the classroom came to an end, as Fullard joined the DoE as a deputy chief education specialist responsible for e-learning. It is while working for the department that she obtained her PhD.

“The doctoral thesis is dedicated to my family, who have a unique significance in my life and who have consistently provided encouragement, as well as unwavering sacrifices and support throughout my academic pursuits,” she said. Fullard specifically dedicated her PhD to her late father, Japie Krüger; mother, Betz Krüger; husband, Ps Johan Fullard; and her daughter and son-in-law, Chandré and Tristan Louw.

Chandré followed in her mother’s footsteps and earned her Master’s in Education on October 21. She and Tristan have both been teachers in Vientiane, Laos for the past three years. Fullard also has two sons, Jacques and Ruan, who both live in Pretoria with their families.