Author: Saryu S. Sawhney (Alumni, SOLA) 

They say inheritance is measured in wealth, land, or jewelry. Mine was none of these. What I inherited was far more subtle, yet infinitely more powerful: the belief that knowledge can never be wasted.
I still remember quiet nights when my mother typed softly on an old laptop or scribbled notes on scraps of paper.
She took up small freelance jobs, learned new skills online, and pursued every opportunity to grow, even if it meant waking before dawn or staying awake late at night. It wasn’t easy, but in those hours, she was building resilience, independence, and the foundation for our future.

“Education never goes to waste—it always finds a way of coming back to you,” she would say. At the time, I thought it was just a saying. Later, I realized her words were a lifeline. Her learning—formal and informal— became our shield against uncertainty. Education, she taught me, is not confined to classrooms; it is a lifelong journey that opens doors in ways money cannot.

As her only child, I inherited more than survival instincts; I inherited the belief that education is a doorway to possibility. My own journey in school and later as a student leader is a continuation of her story. Because of her, I could explore ideas, develop skills, and carve out paths once unimaginable. Education allowed me to find my voice and imagine a future beyond circumstance.

This is why Sustainable Development Goal 4—Quality Education—feels intensely personal. SDG 4 emphasizes not only universal access but also the quality of learning, lifelong skills, and equitable opportunities for all. When education is inclusive, it can transform individuals, families, and societies.

Yet, for millions of children worldwide—especially girls—the story is not as hopeful. UNESCO reports over 120 million children remain out of school. Many more drop out due to poverty, early marriage, or societal expectations.
Even in India, where female literacy has risen, barriers remain, particularly in rural areas, where children are often withdrawn when money runs short. These children are denied knowledge, confidence, and independence.

Education is not just an individual privilege—it is a generational force. My mother’s life embodies this principle: her learning, however limited, allowed her to build a life of dignity, empowering me to grow, dream, and act. Education sparks agency, confidence, and courage.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted new challenges. When schools shifted online, the digital divide became painfully visible. Families without devices or internet were left behind. Some children were expected to help at home, others lost access entirely. Quality education is not only about access but also equity.
Despite challenges, I remain hopeful. My mother’s resilience, my growth, and countless stories worldwide show the transformative power of learning. SDG 4 envisions education reaching every learner, giving all children the tools to shape their own future.

Education is more than a human right; it is a lifeline. It ensures no child inherits silence or limitation. It allows children like me, and children like my mother once was, to inherit courage, opportunity, and freedom. That is the inheritance she gave me, one that no hardship or poverty can ever take away.