“Education isn’t Everything”
That’s something I genuinely believed for a long time. I’d see people who didn’t do well in school; some who didn’t even finish school; yet they were thriving, running businesses, making money, and living well. Meanwhile, I’d see others with fancy degrees stuck in jobs they hated, struggling to get by. So naturally, I used to question it. Is education really the answer? Does it really open doors out of poverty, or is that just what we’re told?
But life has a funny way of showing you things when you’re not expecting it.
See, growing up, education was always at the top of my dad’s agenda. He came from Bangladesh, the eldest of many siblings, and carried a lot of responsibility from a young age. For him, education wasn’t always about grades, but survival and opportunity. Learning English gave him the chance to work in Qatar in his early 20s in a cement factory, taking care of accounts, and eventually he moved to the UK, where he set up a small grocery shop in Glodwick, Oldham. From that tiny shop, he supported his family back home and built a new life for us here.
But it wasn’t only about earning a living. That shop became a hub for the community. I remember in the 90s, watching my dad help local uncles and aunties read letters, understand their gas bills, make doctor’s appointments, and offer general advice. Many of them couldn’t speak much English or didn’t understand how the system worked back then. And I’ll never forget how he used to teach Bangla to local kids in our home above the shop using the bed as a makeshift table. He wanted them to stay connected to their roots and also learn the tools to navigate life. I’m sure many people reading this were taught by my late dad.
That stuck with me. Even if I didn’t fully understand it at the time.
Truth be told, I wasn’t the academic one in the family. That was my older sister. She was pushed to aim high and she delivered. I, on the other hand, didn’t show the same promise early on (some would say a very late bloomer if that). Maybe that’s why I didn’t feel the same pressure. I coasted a bit. I struggled in school and didn’t always believe I could achieve much.
But somehow, against the odds, I ended up doing alright. I studied Aerospace Engineering and completed it up to Master’s level. And weirdly enough, I found myself doing something I never thought I would: teaching.
And I started Aim High Tuition, right above that same shop where my dad used to teach kids Bangla. The same building where he helped neighbours fill out forms and translate letters. In some ways, I was continuing what he had started, but now with algebra and whiteboards.
Over the last 13 years, teaching in schools and running Aim High Tuition, I’ve seen how education really can shape lives. And I don’t just mean academic grades. It’s not about whether you remember Pythagoras’ theorem or how photosynthesis works. It’s about the habits and mindset you build along the way. The ability to keep going when things don’t make sense. The confidence to speak up, ask questions, and try again after you fail. That’s what education gives you.
It’s a bit like going to the gym. You might never do a bench press in your daily life, but it builds strength. In the same way, education builds mental strength, resilience, patience, focus, and discipline. It helps you communicate, problem-solve, think critically, and adapt. And in today’s world, where so many young people give up quickly or get distracted easily, those skills matter more than ever.
As Muslims, we’re reminded again and again about the importance of seeking knowledge. The first word revealed in the Qur’an was “Iqra” (Read). That wasn’t a coincidence. Learning is a core part of our faith. It shapes how we grow, how we support our families, and how we contribute to our communities. Whether it’s deen or dunya, we’re taught to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.
When I see young people today, especially those from similar backgrounds to mine, working-class families, kids who speak a different language at home, young people who are underestimated or told they won’t make it, I’m reminded why Aim High exists. Even if education isn’t everything, it gives you something important: options.
That’s the reason I set up Aim High Tuition. To give young people the support I wish I had. What began in a small room above the family shop has grown into something bigger than I could have imagined. Parents trust us. Students build confidence. We help kids go further than even they thought possible. And I’m proud to be playing a small part in that journey.
So yes, I’ve changed my mind. Education isn’t everything, but it’s a lot. It won’t guarantee success, but without it, your choices are limited. And when done right, education isn’t just about passing exams but about building the tools to navigate life, support others, and create a better future.
And if that starts above a little grocery shop in Glodwick, like it did for me and my dad, then that’s something worth holding on to.
Arif Mohid (MEng, PGCE, NPQML)
Founder of Aim High Tuition
This was a pleasant read.
I certainly agree education isn’t everything but educating at home is very important. When raising a child at home with good upbringing they tend to excel and be more ambitious, but again every person is different and sometimes it isn’t always the case. Home education help develop an understanding life experience which can be better and connected to school education. Home learning provides the biggest knowledge, parents teaching children manners, good behaviour, language, life skills at home it all contributes to a better education. Also supporting them from home as well helps enormously.
The down side of school education is that they prepare you with knowledge and levels but not with the actual experience which is required in the real world. So when applying for a certain degree such as Architecture, a lot of the universities don’t only want grade but also require industrial experience. Therefore a lot of kids drop out of school because they are not given enough promises and guarantee that will get job once adult life starts. It is true sometimes academic learning may not be for everyone, but you’ll notice those that are not capable or show no interest whatsoever is because they have no support at home, no motivation.
Do you agree that families and backgrounds play a big part in their education, well being and welfare?
If you think deeply education can be enjoyed, but when things are unsettled at home it can affect their education in so many ways.
As an FE teacher I have had a lot of these problems where student have come to college to do extra curriculum or re start and decide against university because they want to earn money fast and not be in debt with universities. These students choose apprenticeship option and they provide the industrial experience and therefore prepare them for potential work. I refer my student even with phenomenal levels/grades to apprenticeships because they offer better.
Generally education is perfect for people who want to aim high, such as medicine and other science related jobs. There are lot of unnecessary degrees that don’t need full education but require experience such as business, art, design, construction, beauty and other industrial degrees out there and that don’t need to be at universities. Personally education has become a gamble and it’s all a money making scheme. The world is so selfish, it’s only rare that the government is interested in the future of all kids.
To conclude education has become stature especially in Asian communities, because even in this day and age Asians in general only understand either your a doctor or a lawyer. They still don’t support students with goals, ambitions and career aspirations and this is what needs to change so children will enjoy education more. Education needs to provide more than just knowledge but also educate them about work ethic and morals. I think it’s important student must experience industry work to see if it’s there forte. Through this it will encourage students to love education more, because in that way we fulfilling their duties for the future.
There is a reason why businesses don’t always support or provide staff training, because it’s cost effective, time consuming and financially unaffordable, therefore they prefer someone who has many years of experience than students who just graduated from college or university.
Thank you so much for sharing such a deep and honest reflection. I completely agree. Education starts at home, and a strong upbringing can shape a child’s drive and values. It’s true that real-life experience, work ethic, and moral grounding are just as important as grades.
That’s also why At Aim High Tuition (www.aimhightuition.net), we try to bridge that gap by supporting not just academic progress but also confidence, discipline and purpose. Appreciate your insight. It adds so much to the conversation
Salaam. Thanks for your comment. You seem to have a lot of knowledge on this subject. I welcome you to perhaps write a reflective article about your experiences as a teacher?