Advantages of Free Higher Education
Nelson Mandela said that “the most effective tool you have to transform the world is education.” Every nation in the world has made college education a top priority, yet obtaining a university degree is very expensive. Citizens have the chance to become more responsible members of society, enhance the quality of their lives, and realize their professional aspirations via education. Students that graduate from a recognized university will have the leadership abilities needed to go in the path of their dreams. Higher education fosters self-confidence, economic security, and the potential to make significant contributions to society. Higher education also empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to alter the world. If it were made free, more students would enroll in colleges and universities and learn how they might improve the world. Every year, it seems like the argument over whether or not postsecondary education should be free becomes stronger. One of the most costly levels of education is college. Affordable university education for everyone would be enticing to everyone and inspire more residents to attend in light of the escalating cost of college tuition. Additionally, it would provide students the option to choose their major, and they wouldn’t have to worry about crushing debts that hinder their capacity to achieve their long-term job objectives. Free college education, however, is opposed by others as being impracticable, claiming that enacting this proposal will raise taxes even for middle-class families since education funding must come from someplace. Additionally, opponents of free education think that it would slow down a nation’s economic expansion. They contend that increasing the number of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions might lower the value of degrees given, resulting in a greater proportion of unproductive employees, depending on their credentials. Additionally, if education is provided for free, students may lose attention in their studies, which might result in lower labor market productivity. Because it is a right, not a luxury, and because it has so many advantages for both the person and the nation and its economy, I believe that all people should have access to a college education.
Education is regarded as a fundamental human right in a number of international agreements. This suggests that everyone has a legal assurance that their right to education is unaffected by any kind of prejudice. All of its residents must be able to afford to attend college, according to the government. Therefore, it should use the best methods possible to fully implement the basic right to education using the resources at its disposal. Plans to create a “free college” system should be thoroughly thought out and precise, and they should take into account the link between accessibility and degree completion. If not, these measures are likely to fail or worsen the situation. Five essential elements should be used to create a successful free college education strategy. First, the strategy should include actions to enhance high school students’ preparation for higher education. Second, both two-year and four-year public institutions should be included in the program. Thirdly, the budget should take into account expenses other than tuition, such lodging or meals. The fourth element demands that the strategy work to shorten the time it takes students to finish their degrees and dropout rates. Finally, all socioeconomic groups should be included in a free education program. Lack of tuition payments is a major cause of student dropout. For instance, just 30% of Americans who enroll in college graduate, according to study by Bob Samuels. This is so that they can pay their tuition and other expenses. Sometimes, students are compelled to work while they are in school. Inability to balance employment and school causes degree aspirants to perform poorly, and the majority of them do not meet graduation requirements (Samuels 1). Additionally, a long drive to and from employment significantly affects overall academic success. According to statistics, students who regularly attend university part-time are more likely to drop out than their full-time counterparts. Tuition-free higher education opponents would counter that doing so would simply be too expensive for governments to sustain in the long run. This would therefore place a financial burden on taxpayers, which would have a detrimental effect on the economy as a result of individuals being less likely to invest or spend money. However, with careful organization and execution, the state’s leadership might provide free education to all residents without putting an undue burden on them. The government should put more effort into safeguarding the right to education and increase funding for a program that provides free higher education to all students enrolled in institutions of higher learning.
Free college tuition has the basic advantage of reducing the growing cost of higher education, which reduces student debt. The average cost of higher education in the US is rising at double the rate of inflation, according to statistics (Ulbrich, et al. 1). The cost of tuition doubles every nine years. As a result, many institutions have exorbitant student loan debt that burdens many students’ lives and hinders their ability to get married, have children, or purchase a house. “Government agencies, charitable groups, economists, and the students who take out the loans have turned the dilemma of student debt into a focal topic of inquiry and analysis” (Ulbrich, et al. 1). High student loan debt may have a detrimental effect on a person’s career choice, overall well-being, ability to give back to society, and ability to advance toward other financial objectives like saving for the future (Ulbrich, et al. 1). Increased student loan debt is linked to mental exhaustion and disorders like depression. Higher education tuition price increases are primarily to blame for the sharp growth in student debt (Brugel & Johnson 65). “The state budget cutbacks to higher education institutions are the root of this ailment, which results in an increased financial burden put on the borrower” (Ulbrich, et al. 1). Graduating students’ quality of life is lowered by the lengthy repayment terms of these loans. The argument put out by opponents of this idea is that with free education, students may find it difficult to manage their funds. They would argue that going to college teaches kids a lot and gives them a few opportunities to gain skills like managing money, creating a budget, and saving money. Even if this is the case, free education should still be offered as it allows students to learn about money management and obtain job experience. Because of this, everyone who wants to pursue higher education should be able to, regardless of their financial situation. Schools and universities have to make an effort to limit tuition rises and provide financial aid to students. With no tuition, students won’t have to put in the usual additional hours or take out large debts, which might otherwise hinder their progress across their whole lives.
The “college for all” objective would boost the economy and enhance peoples’ social life. Without a question, education is economically valuable to both society and individuals. A person with education has a higher earning potential than someone without one. According to research, investing in education is very lucrative since it gives individuals many more possibilities to learn (Witmer 512). Free college education would increase the number of people who are productive in modern industries like science and technology. According to study, a country is more productive when there are more educated workers because they are better able to do activities that call for academic and critical thinking abilities. Economic development is more fast in countries where the majority of the population attends college and graduates than in nations with fewer graduates. Therefore, making higher education free would promote more rapid economic growth. In this sense, education is seen as an investment in human capital. By giving everyone the chance to study, employers would have a larger pool of workers with the skills necessary to produce high-quality goods and services. Only if a nation makes significant investments in its human resources can it fulfill its aspirations for sustainable development. Education gives students various social advantages, deepens their self- and world-understanding, and advances enterprises and technical advancements. Learning also ensures social and economic advancement and enhances wealth distribution. Economic advancement is based on the quantitative expansion of educational possibilities and the quality enhancement of those opportunities when they are applied to the work force. In order for a country to achieve national growth, its citizens’ abilities and knowledge must be increased. The most prosperous nations, such as the United States and Japan, are evidence that free higher education is not essential for a country’s growth, according to opponents of free education. Additionally, they could believe that free higher education institutions won’t be able to make the significant adjustments in social adaptation that the whole globe needs. However, many residents do not have access to higher education, even in the most industrialized nations. Such individuals won’t be left behind thanks to the free college, which will also increase their capacity to contribute to society. Graduates would have more money to spend boosting their nation’s economy if student debt were eliminated. More technical improvements and entrepreneurial abilities will result from free education, which is good for assuring both individual achievement and social-economic growth.
Free college education will be essential for the growth of agriculture and rural areas when appropriately adapted. In the majority of developing nations, rural residents lack the resources to continue their education. Furthermore, a significant portion of the population in these countries resides in rural regions. This implies that they typically make a little contribution to the growth of the national economy. Rural residents will gain knowledge and skills from having free access to higher education, which will help them make better agricultural decisions. Free education will also prevent individuals from interpreting information incorrectly in rural places. The following are some of the different educational strategies that may be used to encourage quick rural and agricultural development: a broad education that gives individuals knowledge of fundamental science and their environment. Learning about family development gives students the information, abilities, and attitudes they need to improve their quality of life. In order for rural communities to prosper, community development education aims to improve the dynamics of rural organizations and activities. Occupational education provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to carry out various agricultural projects successfully as well as information on the many jobs in agriculture. The creation of job possibilities and the accessibility of skilled labor, as well as a better transportation system and nearby markets, which are essential elements in assuring rural prosperity, will be strongly impacted by universal education. Higher education in rural locations has advantages such as teaching students how to evaluate laws, government programs, rights, and obligations. Rural populations will have more career and income prospects because to free higher education, raising living conditions overall. Additionally, it will assist communities in developing effective leadership abilities, such as self-assurance, expertise, and experience. Education is crucial for boosting development in rural regions, especially among the populations who call these locations home.
Education helps a population’s general health, nutrition, and sanitation. More healthy and content individuals are produced by free higher education. It encourages individuals to increase social involvement, which is essential for building safer, more cohesive, and healthier communities (Furnee, et al. 417). Education will assist individuals develop social attitudes that will make it easier for them to find and use information and services to raise their own and their families’ standards of life. Studies throughout the years have shown that those with little to no education are more likely to die young and have worse health than those with higher levels of education. People are motivated to study in order to better comprehend themselves and the world while also enhancing their quality of life. Better work possibilities, for instance, provide health-promoting services like health insurance, which increase lifespan and the level of living for a nation’s population. Consequently, having access to health resources like nourishing food is made possible by a good education. A community with a high degree of education benefits from low crime rates and feels more socially responsible. More academic success “improves health directly but also indirectly via job, economic situations, social-psychological resources, and healthy lifestyle,” according to research (Furnee, et al. 417). Passing this measure, according to opponents of free college education, would do more damage than good. The value of college degrees will drop, but so will the number of programs that are open to students. But the outcome and characteristics of schooling are both essential to a person’s health and a predictor of other aspects of their present and future well-being (Hahn and Truman 2). Offering free college education will make sure that more individuals are healthier, which will improve society as a whole.
Free higher public education is a fundamental right that provides various advantages for both individual students and the growth and development of a nation’s economy. University tuition is expensive, and the process of applying for and receiving financial aid is time-consuming and difficult. Many parents would want to see their kids go to college, but many are quite concerned about the cost. Increased enrollment and graduation rates will result from the availability of free higher education. The majority of professions nowadays are information-based and need specialized knowledge. A certain degree of post-secondary education will soon be required for an increasing number of work prospects. Therefore, more educated labor will cover any market shortages and advance the American economy. Many people will be able to prosper in their personal lives and advance their societies with the help of a free college education. Additionally, “college for all” will improve a nation’s economic standing. Many individuals will be able to attend higher education because of its affordability, which will have a significant influence on their life. Graduates will be in a position to purchase houses and automobiles as well as grow in their jobs. Additionally, more graduates would be equipped with the qualifications that companies value, making them eligible for positions with higher salary. People will have more money to spend as a consequence, which would enhance a country’s economic situation. Additionally, it would boost the amount of additional taxes the government received, which would be crucial in helping to pay for free college tuition. People will be encouraged to volunteer more and give back to their communities and nation if they don’t have to worry about crushing college debt. A person who can afford an education will be more likely to put in the effort and use their abilities and talents, which will support sustained economic growth. A nation’s investment in free postsecondary education will generate enormous income that will advance the country.