In my view, education is without doubt a lifelong process; one of continuously learning new knowledge and skills.  Furthermore, I believe that is definitely how life is meant to be.  
It might be possible to debate the issue on the grounds that the reality, in some places and for some individuals, falls short of the ideal - when education does not become a lifelong process. However, it is more helpful to focus on the ideal concepts of education, ones that are intrinsically both lifelong and process oriented.  The counter-argument that education is not a lifelong process must depend on the definition of education being reduced simply to one of formal education, which focuses on instruction, as opposed to learning.  In my opinion that perspective is too limited as it does not reflect all the wider learning and education that occurs alongside and outside of educational institutions. 
Consider, for instance, the first few years of a childs life.  Children learn lifelong values, social skills and attitudes, as well as language and physical skills -- before they attend pre-schools.  Their parents and families are teachers from whom children absorb skills and knowledge that will stay with and influence them throughout their lifetime.  So, too, do the adults involved learn from the children -- from listening to their fresh perspectives and answering the endless questions of avid learners. 
Once the years of a standard education are completed, an attitude of inquiry and personal development leads many to keep acquiring knowledge throughout their lives.  Those without the need or interest in seeking further qualifications satisfy this desire to keep learning in many ways:  asking questions, reading literature, researching in libraries, following news, discussing issues with other people and by reflection.
In our rapidly changing work environment the demand to be competent in new areas and to learn new skills is constant.  No longer does the old concept of a job for life hold the same relevance, so people are discovering the need to be adaptable, to re-train and to keep themselves up-to-date with developments in their fields.  This has become on on-going process of up-skilling that can be extremely satisfying.  
Other changes in the world around us accentuate the importance of viewing education as a lifelong process which prevents people getting trapped in a time-warp.   One only has to think of the rapid changes in technology to realise that in the last twenty years people have had to learn to master a whole new sets of skills, with, for example, computers, e-mail and cell-phones. Now we cannot imagine life without such gadgets and older people marvel at the ease with young children absorb these skills effortlessly as a natural part of their world.  Those who refuse, or are unable, to move with the times and adapt to change, are at risk of becoming isolated and, ironically, being viewed as uneducated! 
As the priority of ensuring that children and young people all get a basic formal education is increasingly being achieved, second chance education is becoming available for another tier of society.  Those who wasted their early opportunity because they lacked the maturity and motivation to work hard, as well as those who lacked educational opportunities because of the economic or political circumstances in their youth, are now able to study at a later time in their lives.  It is never too late to learn is frequently being proven by these adult students who return to advance their education further.
As the population of the world ages it is crucial that this attitude to education as a lifelong process is fostered and everyone is encouraged to stay active and involved in all aspects of life.  People are living longer and it is important that they keep active intellectually as well as physically, socially and emotionally.  In using their brains it truly is a matter of use it or lose it.
Acquiring knowledge does not come simply from books or from formal teaching.  There are constant and plentiful opportunities to keep learning informally from each person we meet in our daily life.  What it takes is an attitude of inquiry, openness, and, perhaps, humility.  Learning is unquestionably a lifelong process -- thank goodness!