When I celebrated my 77th birthday recently, I found myself reflecting on one simple truth: education does not end when we leave school or university.
In many ways, life’s greatest lessons are learnt long after we have collected our certificates and degrees.
Ageing has taught me that growing older is not something to fear but something to appreciate. Each new year reminds us that we still have time to learn, contribute and become better versions of ourselves.
As educators, we often speak about preparing young people for examinations, careers and future employment. These are undoubtedly important but perhaps our greatest responsibility is to prepare them for life itself.
Looking back, I realise that the values that mattered most were not the ones printed on my academic transcript. They were qualities such as discipline, perseverance, integrity, humility and gratitude.
My late mother, Ram Kaur, and dad, Tara Singh, firmly believed that knowledge was the one possession nobody could ever take away.
Their unwavering belief in education enabled all 10 of their children to dream beyond the limitations of poverty. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life.
Years later, earning a PhD was certainly a milestone, but it was never the destination. It was simply another step in a lifelong journey of learning.
The most valuable education comes after formal schooling, when we begin learning from people, experiences, failures, disappointments and successes.
This is why I believe we should encourage every student to become a lifelong learner who is curious, adaptable and willing to embrace change. Such a person never assumes that learning has ended simply because a qualification has been obtained.
In today’s rapidly changing world, knowledge quickly becomes outdated, but the willingness to continue learning remains one of life’s greatest strengths.
There is a growing movement that describes active older people as “septolescents” – individuals who refuse to let age define them. Regardless of age, we should strive to remain lifelong learners, lifelong contributors and lifelong optimists.
Learning should never stop at graduation. Neither should our curiosity, compassion or desire to serve. Every stage of life offers opportunities to discover something new, encourage someone else and make a positive difference.
Indeed, life has taught me lessons that no classroom or lecture hall could ever adequately teach.
I have realised that a successful life is not measured by titles, positions or possessions. Those achievements may open doors, but they do not define our character.
Ultimately, our lives are remembered by the encouragement we gave to others, the integrity we demonstrated when no one was watching, the kindness we extended without expecting anything in return, the values we upheld even when doing so was difficult, and the peace we brought into the lives of others.
As a septuagenarian, I still look forward to pursuing meaningful projects, writing, serving the community and learning something new each day. That, to me, is the real purpose of education – not simply to make a living, but to make a life.
If there is one lesson I hope educators will continue to pass on to future generations, it is this: knowledge may open the mind, but values shape the heart.
When education nurtures both, we prepare young people not only for successful careers, but also for meaningful, compassionate and fulfilling lives.
POLA SINGH
Kuala Lumpur
