Cheryl de la Rey is revered within education circles for the many trails she has blazed. Born and schooled in KwaZulu-Natal, her passion for education took root when she was a high school teacher at Parkhill and Marianridge Secondary schools in the late 1980s.
De la Rey went on to teach as a junior lecturer in the department of psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), later moving to the University of Cape Town (UCT), also as a psychology lecturer. At UCT, she was promoted to senior lecturer before becoming an associate professor.
She completed her BA, honours and master’s degrees at UKZN and obtained a PhD at UCT where she also served as deputy vice-chancellor.
De la Rey also held key positions in several institutions such as the National Research Foundation rating panels; the Council on Higher Education; the department of education’s research output evaluation committee, the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa; and Science, Engineering and Technology for Women.
Last year, she became vice-chancellor of the University of Pretoria. The university is among the top five research producers in South Africa.
Age: 48
How do you earn your living?
I am the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Pretoria.
As a former teacher yourself, what changes do you envisage in the faculty of education, particularly with regard to improving teacher training?
Improving the quantity and quality of teacher training in the University of Pretoria’s faculty of education is one of our strategic priorities as this will help to improve the quality of education in South Africa. Therefore, we are expanding our capacity so that we can increase the number of enrolments in teacher training. Just recently, I officiated at a sod-turning ceremony for the building of new lecture rooms, laboratories and computer facilities for our students. This project will be completed next year. A curriculum review project is also under way so that we can improve the quality of our teacher education and training, especially in mathematics and science.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Sydenham, Durban.
When did you attend primary school and what was the name of the school?
I attended primary school from 1968 to 1974 at St Theresa’s Primary School in Sydenham, Durban. At the time it was still a state-aided school under the auspices of the Catholic Church but during the latter years it changed to a full government school. So our principal and several of our teachers were nuns.
Where and in which year did you do your secondary schooling?
My secondary schooling was at Parkhill Senior Secondary School in Greenwood Park, Durban, from 1975 to 1979.
Tertiary?
At the then University of Natal, now the Howard College campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. I later did my doctoral degree at the University of Cape Town.
Did you have a favourite teacher/s?
I had many very good teachers, beginning from grade one. Mrs Groom was my grade one teacher. She gave me a solid foundation. She was strict and she encouraged us to be disciplined. Her lessons were creative and interesting. I remember learning arithmetic through tasks such as shooting marbles into egg trays that had numbers in each hole and then we had to add the numbers. We also had beautiful charts on the walls.
Why were you so fond of your teachers?
They encouraged us to perform at our best level. Our teachers also emphasised neatness, good handwriting and punctuality; characteristics that still matter to me today.
How did they influence you?
They pushed us to strive for excellence and tried to instil in us core values such as truth, empathy, respect and service to others.
Do you still have contact with them? How?
I moved from Durban many years ago and over the years have not kept in touch directly. But through family who still live in Durban I receive news about my former schools and the communities in which they are located.
What were your favourite subjects and why?
I enjoyed maths and English. Mathematics was a challenge and I enjoyed the feeling of satisfaction that came with solving a complex problem. I also enjoyed reading literature and writing essays.
From your point of view, what are the qualities of a good teacher?
Someone who is a role model and has a caring attitude towards learners. When a teacher is caring, well-prepared for lessons and creates an exciting learning environment, learners enjoy going to school.
What are the things a teacher should never do or say?
Anything that undermines the confidence and self-esteem of learners.
What message do you have for teachers in South Africa?
Teaching is the privilege of developing the next generation of leaders. Through our teaching we can contribute to the development of citizens who can create a better society for all of us.