Why do you think it was a shot? If anything it points out just how much they do value education.
If it was a “shot”, it’s directed at others who don’t apply themselves.
I went into teaching after a combined 22 years in the military and making Tomahawk cruise missiles at Convair in San Diego.
I saw many Vietnamese refugees and other orientals in my classes and was deeply impressed with their work ethic related to education. It was a whole family thing. During open houses I usually met three generations of the student's elders.