Introduction
Almost everyone would make the argument that education is an integrated component of both society and the economy, given that more and more jobs today require such a background. Nevertheless, as the related fees continue to rise tremendously, a growing number of individuals are either incurring large sums of debt or forgoing education entirely. It is a riddle that everyone must ultimately solve, which makes the promise of free education alluring, particularly for those who cannot otherwise pay for it. The typical amount of debt a family may incur upon graduation from college is above $30,000 (Holtermann).
The accumulation of such a large amount of debt often necessitates postponing the purchase of a home, marriage, the acquisition of a vehicle, and retirement savings, among many other milestones that contribute to the betterment of society, while the debt likely grows. This, in turn, delays the economically stimulating creation of graduates. Yet, if individuals graduated debt-free, they could immediately begin working, saving, and spending, thus boosting the economy. Since a rise in expenditures generates a rise in demand, there is a need for more employees, which provides more employment, and the economic cycle continues.
Education Is to Be Free
The unaffordability of college attendance is a significant obstacle for many people pursuing higher education. On this basis, asking out student loans might seem to be a viable alternative. Nevertheless, many low-income students must augment their family’s incomes and cannot afford to be unemployed. In other words, the level of competition is not always fair. Furthermore, a lot of the most talented brains originate from low-income households (Singh). If one’s family was fortunate enough to be able to afford it, a sixth-grade education was the greatest level of education they could acquire back then. Now, however, primary and secondary education is public and free.
These developments have sparked a significant amount of creativity and financial progress and have emphasized the significance of learning. Considering that six out of ten occupations demand postsecondary education, the alarming rise in the nation’s poverty rate is likewise causing concern. Free postsecondary education will continue to advantage society long after graduating from college, in keeping with the notion that a higher level of academic achievement will stimulate even more inventiveness and job creation.
Workforce growth is another reason why granting free college tuition will benefit society. More qualified and competent individuals equal a larger candidate pool, more competitiveness, and the development of additional employment. This would be particularly significant if the increased workforce could be utilized to expand US manufacturing and decrease the need for imports, thereby arousing the US economy even further. It seems reasonable to stress that the reason the mentioned innovation is so crucial is that when individuals obtain a higher degree, they can not simply solve issues effectively, but they are capable of resolving them quicker and comprehending them more (Singh).
Moreover, for most individuals, when pressured financially, focus and productivity fall considerably. This is notably true for university students attempting to earn, afford a home, and live while going and paying for their studies. Society expects young individuals in the nation to do all of these tasks simultaneously, even though any one of them could be enough to cause stress for some. Therefore, when the financial strain is removed, students might put their focus where it belongs, on their educational process, and invest their energy in their learning.
However, some students may not take their studies seriously if college is free of charge. As there is no tuition, people may sign up for courses at random rather than striving toward a major. Others may often change their major, study very little, or just miss classes. It is possible that they are not suitable for college, but their parents urged them to enroll, or they wish to “get their money’s worth” (Cockshaw). Several college students discover motivation when they learn how much each class affects them or their families. If an excessive number of students choose this path, it may consume resources intended for more rigorous studies and thus raise taxation.
Then, With the possibility of decreased funding for colleges and universities, it may be difficult for institutions to provide students with a superior education. The wages of faculty and staff may fall, technology may not be promptly updated, and the campus might not get the necessary maintenance. When students make college payments, they not only spend for their courses but also contribute to the school’s ability to finance items such as housing renovations, new library resources and materials, and landscaping.
Conclusion
Given the discussion above, it seems apparent that education is to be free. The explored benefits include an economic boost, improved equality and equity, an expanded workforce, and enhanced student concentration. The possible drawbacks of the chosen position do not seem to outweigh the explored advantages. Hence, the government is to develop and implement the related policy at all levels.
Works Cited
Cockshaw, Rory. “This Is Why Higher Education Shouldn’t Be Free.” Medium. 2021. Web.
Holtermann, Callie. “Should College Be Free?” The New York Times, 2022. Web.
Singh, Santosh. “Education Should be Free for Everyone?” LinkedIn. 2021. Web.