Should an education be free for all? We all have the right to be educated, but what is the limitation of this?
The accessibility of education in most countries is highly controversial. Many people believe that education should be available to people of all economic backgrounds. For this reason, it is proposed that all levels of education, from primary to tertiary should be free. There are several issues concerning this suggestion.
Positives
To begin with, free education, especially to disadvantaged students, can reduce the burden of their parents. Some students with poor economic background do not pursue tertiary or even secondary education because they have to help their parents earn for a living. Even if they wanted to obtain a degree and improve their lives, these students cannot do anything due to financial incapability. Their parents may have the desire for their children to enter a university but their income is not just enough. With free education, people can fulfill their aspirations in life.
Moreover, the cycle of poverty can be broken once everyone can obtain a degree. People can get better jobs and will be able to afford not just the basic necessities of life. In general, the main cause of poverty is lack of education. Individuals who are not educated do not have the basic knowledge and skills needed for a high paying job. This is the reason why uneducated people just end up having lowly jobs. These jobs are not enough to pay for a university or vocational education. This cycle continues unless free education is not given.
Negatives
Free access to education is a very ideal way to solve a lot of economic issues. However, it will undeniably drain the budget of the government. Primary and secondary education is not really costly but tertiary education is definitely expensive. If the government provides free education, other sectors will not have enough funds. It is known that the population of students is not at a minimum so it will have an adverse effect on a country’s financial plan.
Knowing that students are not paying for their education, some may spend longer time going to school. Some may keep on shifting majors and instead of graduating in 4 or 5 years, it will took longer than that. Also, some may not do their best academically because of the impression that education is free anyway.