Should BC be tuition free?
High tuition costs have been a concern for students for decades. The cost of higher education and how much of that cost should be covered by the government is a topic that has been long debated. Examples of countries boasting free post-secondary education have sparked discussion across Canada on if a similar system could work in our society. While the idea of free tuition seems enticing, it may not be the best option for Canada. Currently, the Federal and Provincial governments subsidize 46.1 percent of tuition costs for Canadian students together. This subsidized system is notable as it makes post-secondary tuition costs feasible for many Canadians. British Columbia has considered implementing free tuition, which may help some to gain access to education. This, however, may not be the best way to change the educational system in British Columbia.
One argument for free tuition is that it will make post-secondary more accessible for lower income people. Free tuition alone will not promote more low-income kids to go to school. The desire to go to post-secondary is not purely economic; there are many other cultural factors that are attributed with whether or not one may pursue a university degree. The National Post reported that Canada has one of the highest percent of post-secondary educated citizens between the ages of 25-34 at 60.6 percent. While countries with a free tuition system such as Germany, Sweden, and Norway have a much lower percentage of citizens with post-secondary education. With Canadian schools having no problem getting students to enroll, a free tuition system would see little results in getting more students into programs.
A change to a free tuition system may not be the best choice for BC as tuition is not the most expensive cost of student life. Housing costs are the most expensive part of the student experience. Even finding suitable living arrangements in most of BC can prove difficult, with the shortage of housing. In British Columbia, housing costs and situations are becoming unmanageable for students. The average tuition cost for an academic year in Canada is $6,838, while UBC residence cost is between $9,000 and $11,000. There are government student loans and scholarship programs available to help students pay tuition fees. However, there are fewer options to help students cover the cost of living.
Education should continue to be subsidized for students in post-secondary programs. While this current system is working for tuition costs, the government in British Columbia needs to step up and help students with housing. Students enrolled in a post secondary program who do not live with parents should have some type of rent assistance. On top of that more low-income and student housing needs to be built. This would help students to have less stress regarding their living situation and building debt from living costs. If students can finish school with less debt, they will sooner contribute to the economy creating a more prosperous British Columbia.
It is very expensive to live in B.C. I agree that finding a place to live is very difficult and sometimes this would force students to find a roommate to help with these costs.
ReplyDeleteHelping students with living costs is a very good point; especially if Canadians have a high enrolment rate. This means less stress about debt and a higher drive towards building a career.
ReplyDeleteFocusing on living costs would be a great way to financially support students, especially those with low income. Tuition, after all, is only a fraction of the cost of being a student. If the provincial government could facilitate rent assistance, and fund more targeted bursaries, it'd be a big help.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement in respects that tuition funding is adequate, but housing is even more costly for students. If students can’t afford to stay on residence because of the high price, there are many other options. Students can rent a 3-4-bedroom house and share the rental costs associated with renting. Renting a room in someone’s house is also a way to cut costs. It is unrealistic in my opinion to expect the government to subsidize housing costs as well as tuition for students. Realistically there are other ways to compromises to cut costs.
ReplyDeleteI found this to be a very well thought out opinion and much like my own. As an older student, I've had plenty of opportunity financially to attend college however it was never the right time until now, so I believe that financial rank doesn't exactly correlate to enrollment. In fact, many reports show that offering free tuition can actually deter people from graduating. I also fully agree that the cost of living in BC is too high and I would fully support a system that subsidizes student living or one that offers dorms or school run accommodations.
ReplyDeleteYou have awesome points with how the cost of living is also a huge part of what is setting students into deeper debt!
ReplyDelete