Professor Naidoo obtained her PhD in Mathematics Education at Aalborg University in Denmark and before that her B. Paed (Science) at the University of Durban-Westville, her B Ed Hons at UNISA and an M Ed (Mathematics Education) at Rhodes University. 

She is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) where she was actively involved, in a leadership capacity, during the merger of the Port Elizabeth Technikon and the former University of Port Elizabeth. In the course of 2005 she also acted as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for an extended period.

Prof Naidoo has been immensely effective as Dean, not only initiating a broad re-curriculation process of the B Ed programme but also launching an Action Research Unit in 2008. Under her stewardship, the research outputs doubled in the Faculty of Education at NMMU. 

Prior to her deanship she developed an ACE programme for in-service teacher training enabling teachers to improve their qualifications from M+3 to M+4. She also collaborated within the Consortium of Higher Education Institutions in the Eastern Cape to develop a framework for a National Professional Diploma in Education for the Foundation, Intermediate and Senior phases. This specific programme is now widely implemented across South Africa.

“In taking up the position as Deputy Dean at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Education, Prof Naidoo brings her vast experience of education to a vibrant, dynamic Faculty where excellence in teacher training is prioritised. Her exceptional managerial expertise will no doubt strengthen the Faculty in continuing to be one of the largest and most productive faculties of education in the country,” said Professor Irma Eloff – Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria.