In the modern world, education is rather a common courtesy, a primary need than a luxury. Many countries spend the part of taxes to provide learning opportunities for talented but not rich young people. Advocates of this approach claim that affordable academic programs contribute to raising worthy specialists and ensuring national well-being, make society more civilized because all its members have equal chances to become literate and successful.
Opponents say that tuition-free learning makes students less responsible for their career choices. That is why the price for schooling in prestigious colleges and universities is dramatically high.
Experts from Pro-Papers have analyzed the main pros and cons of state-funded education. Check them out below to decide for yourself whether this format is correct or not.
Advantages of free education
Reducing student debt
It may be awkward for adult people to ask parents for money. That is why many students take loans in banks to pay for studies. There are usually strict deadlines after which a commission is charged. In order to pay off a debt on time and not get into a money pit, students find a job which takes much energy and prevents focusing on learning. As a result, they receive poor knowledge and spend almost all salary to avoid problems with a bank. Such education is ineffective. The state can lighten a financial burden by undertaking tuition expenses.
Opportunity to stay the course
Statistics showed that only 50% of first-graders paying for education eventually get degrees. Since most students do not have stable income, unexpected financial problems may result in expelling. Tuition-free colleges and universities provide more opportunities to get the job done and receive a diploma, become a certified specialist able to survive competition on the labor market and interest employers.
Stimulating innovation
Being way too concerned about financial issues, young people often do not have time and energy for self-discovery and creative projects. State-funded education and organizations investing in promising startups create favorable conditions for testing new ideas and approaches, considering innovative concepts, developing talents without pressure exerted by banks and university accountants.
Focusing on education
Even those students who do not have genius ideas may be just happy, healthy physically and mentally, have enough time for sleep and relaxation which are very important for productive learning. Overwork, attempts to perform educational and labor responsibilities equally well, pay a debt on time may lead to nervous breakdowns, disappointment, desire to abandon university and get rid of tedious obligations. Tuition-free educational institutions help their students to have a pleasant full life, achieve academic heights without sacrifices and negative emotions.
Economic benefits to society
Although it seems that all academic problems stay in the past after receiving a diploma, unsolved bank issues may make the first adult steps not so carefree. Students graduating with unpaid debts should limit themselves in many respects, forget about such goals as buying a house or a car, getting married and having children. If two young people are burdened with loans or even commission charged for non-payment, it is definitely not a good time for them to build a family. Tuition-free learning may contribute to wealth accumulation in society.
More optional disciplines
Students usually do not attend lectures on non-core disciplines if it is necessary to pay extra for them, receive narrowly specialized knowledge necessary for a future profession and lose the chance to expand horizons, look at the world from different perspectives and understand what exactly they want to do in life. State-funded colleges and universities create an environment in which all-rounded, erudite persons may be educated.
Opponents claim that this approach may lead to a high load on professors. To prevent the educational system abusing, each student can have a limited number of non-core disciplines which may be studied for free.
Disadvantages of free education
Somebody should pay for it
The fact that a student receives education for free does not mean that tuition fees are not taken from somebody else’s pockets. Expenses of colleges and universities are covered by society. Far not all citizens agree with this. After all, a person will pay for the education of younger generations after receiving one’s own diploma. Isn’t it more reasonable to let everyone pay for oneself? Some people believe that they can become good specialists without a degree. It would be fair to exclude them from this exchange.
Financial irresponsibility
Some school graduates continue education not because they want to study some major but because universities are free. Young people may continue living with parents, not pay for utilities and food, postpone finding a job. As lectures take not the whole day, there is much time for leisure, fun, and entertainment.
Free education is a reason why there are so many adult kids unable to manage personal finances today. A loan teaches a person to appreciate knowledge, professors’ work, be responsible and hard-working. A tuition fee is the first serious investment which may develop entrepreneurial talents and become the beginning of smooth credit history.
Devaluing a diploma
Would precious stones delight anyone if laying on a ground like a pebble? Of course, no. A diploma ceases to be the sign of prestige and outstanding intelligence if everyone can get it without much effort. A bachelor’s degree has already lost its value. Students have to become Ph.D. or at least masters to attract recruiters’ attention.
