Guinness Records in Education: Age and location do not hinder education

Education is one of the most important elements of human life. It not only allows for the acquisition of knowledge and skills but also serves the formation of personality and the development of will and patience. Many people around the world have achieved extraordinary feats related to education, inscribing their names in the Guinness World Records Book. The stories of these record holders once again prove that age, time, and place are not obstacles to education.

AzEdu.az has researched record holders in the field of education who have entered the Guinness World Records at various times and highlighted their achievements.

Beverly Hannett-Price: 67 Years of Pedagogical Dedication

Beverly Hannett-Price, active in Michigan, USA, is known as the woman who taught for the longest period. She taught English continuously for 67 years at the same school – "Cass Technical High School" in Detroit. In 2026, at the age of 90, she was awarded an official Guinness certificate for this magnificent achievement.

Hannett-Price's story shows that the teaching profession is not just a job, but a lifelong mission. The words she spoke upon retirement, "I never felt like I was going to work; I went to learn something new every day," are clear proof of her endless love for her profession. Her activity proves that age is not an obstacle to educating and touching the lives of thousands of young people.

Shigemi Hirata: The Triumph of Patience and Age

One of the most impressive figures proving that education is not limited by age is Shigemi Hirata from Japan. He made history as the world's oldest university graduate, completing Kyoto University of Art and Design at 96 years and 200 days old. Hirata's success was not accidental; he patiently studied for a full 11 years to earn his bachelor's degree, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with young people in every lecture.

Hirata's record sends a message to the whole world: If a person wishes, they can set new goals at any age. Even in his final years, he did not cease learning, becoming the most vivid example of the concept of "lifelong education." His will is a motivation for the older generation and a great example for the youth.

Tathagat Avatar Tulsi: The Early Brilliance of Intellect

The Indian "child prodigy" Tathagat Avatar Tulsi astonished the world with his extraordinary intellectual leap. He broke the Guinness record in physics by obtaining a Master of Science (M.Sc) degree at just 12 years, 2 months, and 19 days old. The main feature distinguishing Tulsi from his peers was his completion of secondary education at 9 and his bachelor's degree at 11.

His success did not end with a master's degree; Tulsi also obtained a doctoral (PhD) degree in physics at the age of 22, solidifying his position in the academic world. His story shows that properly guided talent and a disciplined educational process allow human potential to reach peaks even at very early ages.

Luciano Baietti: The Knowledge Collector

Italian academic Luciano Baietti holds the title of "the person with the most higher education degrees in the world" due to his insatiable interest in education. His collection includes more than 15 bachelor's and master's degrees. What makes Baietti interesting is that his diplomas cover sharply differing fields: Law, Sociology, Strategy, Criminology, and even Physical Education.

Baietti revealed the secret of how he earned so many degrees: He wakes up every morning at 03:00 and starts studying his books. For him, education is not a career tool, but intellectual freedom. Baietti proves that learning keeps a person spiritually young and that acquiring knowledge is a boundless desire.

These four record holders remind us that education is not just a diploma, but a way of life. Beverly's dedication, Hirata's patience, Tulsi's intellect, and Baietti's unending curiosity show that there is no endpoint for the human mind and spirit. Their stories are not just records, but also an example for everyone who wishes to learn.