A Lesson For A Dollar

Quebec government announced a new increase in university tuition in 2010. These hikes in university fees represent a change in the way university is perceived. University should be free, because it is not a merchandise that should be sold in exchange for capital, and a difficult financial situation should not be an obstacle for an student eager to learn.

While the government is investing in numerous other economical plans and corporations, they are saying our province’s debt is too high to establish free education. What they are keeping from their voters is that complete university financing is very possible. By re-establishing a tax on bank profits as low as 0,7%, free university can be acquired in a few short years. This minuscule tax on extremely profitable institutions could ensure that no more money is taken from the pockets on already indebted students. University is a right to every citizen of this province. It is not a privilege only possible for the most affluent families. To make university attendance only accessible for certain social classes is to transform a diploma into a trendy and accessory limited to the wealthy. All the philosophers, authors and thinkers have said it: education is key to a functional and informed society. The image of students walking into campus and paying before entering to be able to learn essential information is definitely not what Aristote had in mind when creating a garden of knowledge for young men in ancient Grece.

If university becomes any more expensive than it already is, students will not choose to study philosophy, art, dance and teaching. They will have to opt for a more highly paid career path, for example law or business, to reimburse their student loans, which usually add up to more than 15 000 dollars. Can you imagine those crushed dreams when a young student sees his excessive debts and has to give up his ideal career as a professional dancer to pay off his bills, knowing that he probably never will be able to afford continuing his studies. How about when a young student who’s greatest desire is to teach to young children herself one day? She works thirty hours a week to pay off her loans, but realizes she just cannot afford to finish while financially supporting herself alone. Students loans take years to pay off and increase with time because of interests. Stress related to delicate financial situations can cause a student to fail or drop out of school. How many young student’s dreams is the government willing to destroy to be able to save a couple millions, which really is not much to them.

 As proven with this text, financing free education is clearly possible. Free education should be a priority, considering it is not a merchandise sold for profit. Without tuition fees, an great quantity of citizens could be educated and contribute more to a rich and functional society. If our government places accessible education as one of his last priorities, maybe it is time to choose a party which represents the young people in Quebec better.