Education is not a tool for development - individual, community

"Education is not a tool for development - individual, community and the nation. It is the foundation for our future. It is empowerment to make choices and emboldens the youth to chase their dreams." These words spoken by Nita Ambani echo through the chambers of time, reminding us of the profound role education plays in shaping the destiny of both individuals and entire societies. Ambani’s assertion that education is not just a tool but the very foundation of our future reflects an age-old truth that those who are equipped with knowledge and wisdom possess the power to shape their lives and, in turn, the world around them. To be educated is to be empowered, to be free, and to have the ability to chart a course through life with confidence, purpose, and ambition.

The importance of education as the foundation for the future is an idea deeply embedded in the ancient wisdom of philosophers, kings, and scholars. In the time of Plato, the philosopher-king was seen not just as a ruler but as an educated person whose wisdom could guide a nation toward prosperity. Plato believed that education was not merely about learning facts and figures but about shaping the soul—cultivating a deep understanding of truth, virtue, and justice. To Plato, education was the very basis upon which a society could rise or fall. Without it, the foundation of the state itself would crumble. His ideas emphasize that education’s true value lies not in the passing of time or the learning of skills but in the empowerment it offers the individual to make sound, moral decisions for the betterment of the community.

In our own world, education has always been a key to freedom and empowerment. The history of Nelson Mandela is a perfect example of this. Mandela was born into a society deeply divided by apartheid, where his access to education was limited by the color of his skin. Yet, even in the face of these immense challenges, Mandela’s pursuit of knowledge fueled his desire for justice and equality. His education gave him the power to dream, to resist, and to ultimately lead a movement that would dismantle one of the world’s most oppressive regimes. Mandela’s life is a testament to the truth in Ambani’s words: education is not just a tool for development—it is the foundation for change, the very thing that enables people to see beyond their current circumstances and to fight for a better world.

Similarly, the story of Malala Yousafzai, who stood up for the right to education in the face of violence and oppression, mirrors this message. Malala’s belief in the transformative power of education did not just empower her—it ignited a global movement that champions the rights of young girls around the world. Her courage in the face of adversity is a living example of how education emboldens individuals to chase their dreams and empowers them to stand up against the forces that seek to silence them. Through her words and actions, Malala has shown that education is far more than the acquisition of knowledge—it is a weapon of empowerment, a tool for those who dare to dream of a different world.

Ambani’s words are a call to action for all societies to recognize the fundamental role of education in shaping a better future. It is not enough for a society to merely provide the barest knowledge; the true goal of education is to empower individuals to make choices, to think critically, and to lead with integrity and vision. When we invest in education, we are not merely filling minds with facts—we are laying the groundwork for future leaders, innovators, and change-makers who will shape the world. The true measure of an educated society is not in the number of degrees or certificates it produces, but in the way those who are educated use their knowledge to empower themselves and others to make positive, lasting change.

Let us look at the rise of the Enlightenment in the 18th century, a time when philosophers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire argued for the centrality of reason, individual rights, and education in the development of a just society. These thinkers believed that the education of the people was the key to breaking the shackles of ignorance and tyranny. Through education, they believed, individuals would be empowered to make choices—choices that would lead to freedom, equality, and progress. The Enlightenment paved the way for revolutions and social reforms that would change the course of history, proving that an educated people are capable of transforming the world around them.

The lesson we learn from Ambani’s words, and from the stories of those who have fought for education, is clear: education is the most powerful force we have to shape the future. It is the foundation upon which the potential for progress and empowerment rests. It is a gift that allows us to dream, to create, and to lead. As we look to the future, we must commit to investing in education, not just as a means of economic development, but as a way of empowering the individual to reach their full potential, to become leaders of their own lives, and to shape a world that reflects their highest ideals. Let us embrace education, not as a tool, but as the foundation of all that is possible in the world.