FREE TUITION? (FOR SCHOOL)
Free tuition good or bad?
Imagine believing your dreams are attainable. Imagine the path your life will take if you have the resources to make those dreams reality. Hard to picture? The argument for or against free tuition shouldn't be in regards to money, it should be about access.
Those who are financially able to pay, should. Those without the financial ability should still be able to access post-secondary education without having to go into debilitating debt. Does that make it free? For some, yes, but the real question is why do we still live in a society that determines a person's eligibility for success based on coincidental circumstance?
The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada released an article outlining trends in Higher education and stated.
“Education is a critical factor in one’s earning potential. There are three principal private returns for individuals with a university education: they have a higher income advantage, are less likely to experience long periods of low income, and are less likely to experience labour disruptions.” (pg 39)
Providing free tuition for those who are in need would work towards building a level of equality within the student populations, and help bridge the growing wealth gap. Equal opportunity that accounts for individual monetary circumstances would prove a middle ground in the free tuition debate. Just for fun, let’s explore another viable option.
According to an article in BIV the 41 richest people in Canada made $96.4 billion dollars in 2019. There are approximately 470,000 students attending post secondary school under the age of 25. With undergraduate tuition costing an average of $6,463 per school year, Canadian students are paying over 3 Billion in fees every year. The crazy thing, 3 billion is only 2.88% of what 41 individuals make every year… Are we a country with collective morals and belief systems? We are a country built from controversy and tragedy and a desire to diverge from the Global superpower south of the border. Shouldn't we be supporting and educating our young people to be engaged and dream and learn the skills to, in turn, support give back?
References:
Shepert., E. (Nov 29, 2019) canadian billionaires here are 41 richest people canada 2019., Business Vancouver Retrieved from: https://biv.com/article/2019/11/canadian-billionaires-here-are-41-richest-people-canada-2019
Statista., Retrieved from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/450264/college-enrollment-in-canada-by-age-group/
Trends in Higher education, Volume 1 - enrolment (2011) The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada Retrieved from: https://www.univcan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/trends-vol1-enrolment-june-2011.pdf
Imagine believing your dreams are attainable. Imagine the path your life will take if you have the resources to make those dreams reality. Hard to picture? The argument for or against free tuition shouldn't be in regards to money, it should be about access.
Those who are financially able to pay, should. Those without the financial ability should still be able to access post-secondary education without having to go into debilitating debt. Does that make it free? For some, yes, but the real question is why do we still live in a society that determines a person's eligibility for success based on coincidental circumstance?
The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada released an article outlining trends in Higher education and stated.
“Education is a critical factor in one’s earning potential. There are three principal private returns for individuals with a university education: they have a higher income advantage, are less likely to experience long periods of low income, and are less likely to experience labour disruptions.” (pg 39)
Providing free tuition for those who are in need would work towards building a level of equality within the student populations, and help bridge the growing wealth gap. Equal opportunity that accounts for individual monetary circumstances would prove a middle ground in the free tuition debate. Just for fun, let’s explore another viable option.
According to an article in BIV the 41 richest people in Canada made $96.4 billion dollars in 2019. There are approximately 470,000 students attending post secondary school under the age of 25. With undergraduate tuition costing an average of $6,463 per school year, Canadian students are paying over 3 Billion in fees every year. The crazy thing, 3 billion is only 2.88% of what 41 individuals make every year… Are we a country with collective morals and belief systems? We are a country built from controversy and tragedy and a desire to diverge from the Global superpower south of the border. Shouldn't we be supporting and educating our young people to be engaged and dream and learn the skills to, in turn, support give back?
References:
Shepert., E. (Nov 29, 2019) canadian billionaires here are 41 richest people canada 2019., Business Vancouver Retrieved from: https://biv.com/article/2019/11/canadian-billionaires-here-are-41-richest-people-canada-2019
Statista., Retrieved from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/450264/college-enrollment-in-canada-by-age-group/
Trends in Higher education, Volume 1 - enrolment (2011) The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada Retrieved from: https://www.univcan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/trends-vol1-enrolment-june-2011.pdf
Although the Stats refer to the under 25, it affects every age group. Providing free tuition as you have mentioned for those in need, is essential to a healthy community. It is also about funding those who aren't able to afford the luxury of a higher education. The current NDP Gov't elimination of interest on BC loans and their most recent announcement of up to $4000's in up front grant money for low to middle income students is the step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteNicely written. I agree that those who can afford it should pay for their education, but why stop there? And how do we choose who should have to pay, where do we draw the line? I think people making a certain sum of money per year should be taxed to help cover the expenses. For example, those Canadian billionaires you mentioned should have no trouble paying a little extra so that others can be given a chance to pursue their own aspirations & success.
ReplyDelete