Learning the way to achieving

LIFESTYLE

EDUCATION and the imparting of knowledge and skills from one person to another enables a learner to achieve his or her dream and into making other great accomplishments in life.
For those who have not had the benefit of learning, many things around us might appear too wondrous, fascinating and mysterious. But such things are invented or operated by those that have been educated. They are just like us but only better educated and trained to do what they are doing.
Some wonder how on earth an aircraft which does not flap its wings like a bird to supporting itself but somehow manages to be airborne. But it is the knowledge of gravity, force and air pressure taught in schools that enabled intellectuals to be wise and smart inventing aircraft to fly like birds in the air. Likewise, we wonder how on earth a huge ship made of metal with its heavy cargo floats on water without sinking.
Well, this the result of some people reasoning and studying scientific concepts like gravity, force and coming up with inventions such as ships floating on water. Rather interesting – it is education that shapes this world and the life pattern of people and the present world today. Without modern education the world would have been different. As far as education is concerned, it enables different persons in their chosen field of studies to be innovative and well-versed in whatever jobs and become so skillful and experience later on.
Looking at it from another perspective, education in itself is something as valuable and pleasant but foremost it a means of survival. In other parts of the world where land is scarce and there are hardly any opportunities available for agricultural activities. In places like major and busy overcrowded cities around the world, people value education and hold it dear to their hearts so they can live a life through paid jobs secured through their educational qualifications.
Interestingly, both accountants and lawyers, for example are educated to be proficient and clever in their fields or professions. So it is education that molded and shaped someone from nothing to somebody clever, smart and intelligent. We could say, education is the key to all success and great achievements in life for those who have taken education seriously.

Huge plane, small pilot
Anyway, to something else but related to education; I was waiting at Sydney’s Sir Kingsford Smith International Airport after trying to catch a flight back to Port Moresby. That was in September 1996 after watching the NRL grand final between the Manly Sea Eagles and Saint George Dragons live at the Sydney Football Stadium. What an amazing sight as I set my eyes on what was going on in that busy airport terminal. Again, it was something that could have been made possible only through education.
After l checked-in l saw that there was still some time left on the clock for the boarding call. While l was hanging around at the departure terminal, something caught my attention through a transparent glass wall and it was a huge Qantas Boeing aircraft parked outside the terminal parking bay. The size of that Boeing aircraft drew all my attention and curiosity because it was much bigger than the Boeing 747 that l was familiar with.
Maybe it was the Boeing 767 or could be 787. As l was attracted by this huge aircraft, another sight that was equally awesome and shocking was that of a female Qantas pilot in full pilot suit making her way up the aircraft stairway to get into the cockpit.
The four pips on her uniform shirt meant she was the captain of that huge Qantas aircraft. “Wow, a female Qantas Boeing aircraft captain!” l thought to myself. Then more fascinating things began to unfold; a very slim person walked up the plane stairway in full pilot suit. He was a co-pilot.
In typical PNG thinking and reasoning this sight was as unusual but then a thought came to my mind: “What you see right before your eyes is as a result of education.”
In comparing the female Qantas captain and her co-pilot to the size of the huge Boeing aircraft, l was lost for words but there it was – the wonders of what education can do.
Then back in Port Moresby, sometime in February this year, l was called into Stanley Hotel by my boss for dinner. While we were having the dinner, a young white girl walked past us and l kindly approached her, asking if she could buy one of my books.
l introduced myself as a self-taught writer who has written a book of short stories. l asked her if she was interested to read a copy of the book and purchase a copy. She replied, “Sure, l’d love to read a PNG book but how much are you selling it for?”
Helicopter pilots
She bought a copy of the book then went back to her table and sat down with another young woman who about the same age as her.
A few minutes later, the thought came into my mind that the young woman was as the very first person to by a copy of my recently published book. I walked across to where she and her friend were sitting and asked them if we could take a picture so l can keep it as a memento. They agreed and one of the girls asked a hotel attendant to take pictures of us.
I then learnt more about them. At first I took them as tourist who were there with their parents or friends because they appeared to me as girls and not women. But when l asked them about what they were there for, their response was shocked me. They told me that they were helicopter pilots working for an aviation company here in PNG.
Their contracts with the aviation company had expired so they were leaving the next day for their home country, South Africa.
I was left wondering but knew it was education that enabled those two very young women to become pilots. Education enables and shapes people to take up amazing jobs and accomplish great and unbelievable things. I mistook the two girls as hotel guests staying with their families but that was not the case.
Their education and wealth of knowledge took them to PNG to work for an aviation company. Truly interesting and inspiring. So education is not something to play around with.