Imagine a world where everybody can realize their potential, unrestrained by student debt. That's the dream of free college and University. Today, millions of students drown in loans for the sole crime of wanting a better life. But here is the truth: higher education is a public good and should not be considered a luxury. Free college and University would level the playing field and fuel a smarter, stronger society. It's time to invest in the future, not burden it.
• People with higher levels of education are better at solving problems. This implies that society can advance more quickly.
• Advancements in technology also bring about changes in the workforce. Low-skill workers are mostly being replaced by automated jobs. Automating repetitive jobs is becoming more and more common. Automation is not intended to completely replace labour, though. Instead, the needs of most economies are shifting to require a more skilled workforce, with people who have good analytical skills and creative thinking abilities. A college degree teaches and refines these abilities. The workforce would grow if more people could receive free college or university education.
• Graduating with significant debt is common in Canada, where the average student debt is $28,000 per individual. This debt can take years to repay, delaying major purchases such as homes and cars. Without debt, graduates could earn, save, and spend more quickly, boosting the economy.
• Increased consumer spending drives up demand and creates more job opportunities, resulting in a positive economic cycle.
• Money is a major concern for many people when it comes to attending college and university, therefore the playing field has not always been level. Even if many of the world's brightest minds come from low-income backgrounds, this should not discourage them from pursuing higher education.
• When students are not concerned about money or debts, they can concentrate more on their studies. Even when students have loans and financial aid, they may find themselves stuck worrying about how they will have to pay them back in the future.
As I stated in the beginning, free college and University seems like a dream, and some may believe it's just that; a dream. But, it has been proven to work, as several countries have successfully implemented free or heavily subsidized higher education systems, showcasing the benefits of removing financial barriers. Germany, for instance, offers free tuition at its public universities for both domestic and international students, requiring only small administrative fees. Similarly, Norway and Finland provide free university education, with Norway covering all students and Finland extending the offer to all European citizens. In Brazil, public universities are tuition-free for those who pass the entrance exams, while Sweden offers free education to Swedish and European students. These examples demonstrate that free higher education is not just a theoretical idea but a practical reality in many parts of the world, leading to broader access and reduced financial burdens on students.
So, why aren't we following the lead of a country like Germany or Norway, where education is an investment, not a debt sentence? Free college isn't an impossible dream; it's a reality somewhere else, and it works. If we are really to have a future where talent and ambition matter more than bank accounts, we have to ensure higher education is available to all. We cannot sell the future to the highest bidder. Now is the time to tear down the barriers and make college and university free for all.
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