Chennai: Education has the potential to bring about lasting generational change, particularly when it reaches students from economically weaker sections, educationist Anandam Selvakumar said.

Speaking on the topic 'Education that Transforms Generations' at an event held at the open arena of the book fair at the Nandanam YMCA grounds, Selvakumar said quality education had the power to alter the course of history.

Citing examples, he said the education received by the son of an uneducated worker had enabled Alexander Fleming to emerge as the discoverer of penicillin, highlighting how learning can transcend social and economic barriers.

Selvakumar said many of today's successful individuals owed their achievements to the dedication of committed school teachers. He also recalled the role played by former Chief Minister K Kamaraj, who, despite being uneducated, established numerous government schools and introduced the midday meal scheme, significantly improving literacy levels in Tamil Nadu.

Emphasising the role of families, Selvakumar said parents had a greater influence than teachers in shaping children and must lead their lives with faith, love and responsibility, as children learn more from behaviour than instruction.