Article Usage – The Article ‘A/An’ with Uncountable Nouns

Superlatives describe a particular quality to the highest degree when compared to the same quality found elsewhere. So, we might say The water in the other two lakes is really quite clear, but I’d say this lake has the clearest water.

However, the superlative can also describe an absolute, with something like the sense of very. So we might also say Oh, look at that lake. Did you ever see anything like it? It has the clearest water.

In normal use, the definite article is part of the superlative form.

"Education", like many abstract nouns, can be used in both countable and uncountable forms. They are most often used as countable nouns when speaking about a specific entity that is not abstract. Here are some examples of these abstract nouns being used in both forms.

We are taught that love is one of the greatest emotions.
I can't eat at diners; I just have a love for finer food.

Everything can be completed with enough time.
There is a time for laughter, even at a solemn event.

If you don't want to end up like your father, remember the benefits of education.
You'll need an education if you don't want to work at fast food for the rest of your life.

Any time you want to refer to abstracts like this with specificity, you'll find them commonly used in countable forms.