After working for 20 years, Mangayarkkarasi stopped work to look after her children in 1996. Barely a year later, however, she returned to the workforce to be a full-time kindergarten teacher.

She enjoyed it so much that she decided to further her studies in this field, taking courses in early childhood education and two diplomas — one in early childhood teaching and the other in leadership. In 2005, she became principal of the PCF Sparkle Tot Woodlands branch. Mangayarkkarasi feels her diplomas allow her to perform her job better.

The modules she took, such as child psychology and curriculum planning, have helped her understand the nuances of pre-school teaching better. With the knowledge she gained, she was also able to recommend additions to the curriculum to enhance teaching and to allow the children to grasp the information better.

The champion of lifelong learning said: “The world around us is changing so quickly. Therefore, we must keep upgrading our skills to stay relevant.”