Patrick Rouble, the Minister of Education and of Energy, Mines and Resources, says he's leaving politics to go back to school.

Rouble made the surprise announcement Wednesday, saying he plans to pursue a doctorate of education this fall att he University of Calgary.

Both Mike Nixon, the former Yukon Party president and Jonas Smith, who recently took over Nixon's role, were unaware of Rouble's decision prior to the minister's announcement.

"It wasn't an easy decision to enter politics and it's not an easy decision to leave,” Rouble told the Star Wednesday afternoon.

"But the Yukon Party has made our territory a much better place in the past several years, so it seemed like a good time to do this now.”

Asked if his departure from politics has anything to do with the Yukon Party's new leadership under Darrell Pasloski, Rouble's answer was simple: no

"That has nothing to do with it,” he said. "The only people who are making these kinds of conclusions are media pundits who are coming up with their own reasons.”

Earlier this spring, when Rouble playfully told a Star reporter to prepare for pending announcements about the party's leadership, some speculated he himself was entertaining a leadership run. At that point, no candidates had declared their intentions.

In 2009, during the height of former premier Dennis Fentie's difficulties over discussions about the possible sale of the Yukon Energy Corp., Rouble made a strong public statement of support for the embattled premier.

On Wednesday, Rouble reiterated several times he has been thinking about returning to school for several years now, and that it's not the kind of decision one can make quickly.

This will be his third time going to a post-secondary institution.

"I am continuing to pursue my passion for life-long education,” said Rouble. "The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know.”

Looking back at his tenure as Minister of Education, Rouble believes his time spent helping constituents address their concerns is on of his great successes.

"We were really trying to engage the community with their role in Yukon's education system,” said Rouble.

One of his department's goals was to help school councils and advisory committees become more involved with education reform and policy decisions. He believes officials have been successful on that front.

"We've given the community a long and strong voice in education reform,” he said.

On a broader territorial scale, Rouble said that being part of the Yukon Party's achievement in getting the economy back on track and their "tremendous” investments in education and health are what he will remember with pride.

As his nine years as the MLA for the Southern Lakes riding, Rouble spoke about initiatives like building and enhancing fire halls, community centres and recreation facilities, broadening access to drinking water, upgrading roads and bridges, and responsibly managing solid waste.

On whether or not he will return to politics after hitting the books, Rouble's answer was fairly clear.

"I have a lot of life ahead of me, and I don't see myself returning to politics,” he said.