The cost of higher education within Australia is a contentious issue for all concerned. Proposed changes by the current government are looking at bringing tertiary education closer to a ‘user-pays’ situation. This is designed to make the system of higher education more viable and sustainable. It is an idea that has a solid base and is attractive to many people. However, by shifting the cost of education away from the taxpayer and onto the student, governments could be cutting off their prospective nose to spite their face.
Education is seen to be many things by many people. Ways to a better career, a course to a better income and an avenue to increased social mobility are just a few of the reasons that an improved education is sought. Yet, all these solutions and more are being placed beyond the reach of normal, everyday Australians by the cost. In its efforts to create a healthier higher education system, the government is increasing its outlay. This could have the effect of placing it beyond the reach of the potential higher earnings taxpayers of tomorrow. This essay will consider the arguments for why higher education in Australia should be free of student costs and charges. These arguments will be considered in terms of the ramifications of these costs to students and their studies, the government and society in general. Read more…
The cost of higher education within Australia is a contentious issue for all concerned. Proposed changes by the current government are looking at bringing tertiary education closer to a ‘user-pays’ situation. This is designed to make the system of higher education more viable and sustainable. It is an idea that has a solid base and is attractive to many people. However, by shifting the cost of education away from the taxpayer and onto the student, governments could be cutting off their prospective nose to spite their face. Education is seen to be many things by many people. Ways to a better career, a course to a better income and an avenue to increased social mobility are just a few of the reasons that an improved education is sought. Yet, all these solutions and more are being placed beyond the reach of normal, everyday Australians by the cost. In its efforts to create a healthier higher education system, the government is increasing its outlay. This could have the effect of placing it beyond the reach of the potential higher earnings taxpayers of tomorrow. This essay will consider the arguments for why higher education in Australia should be free of student costs and charges. These arguments will be considered in terms of the ramifications of these costs to students and their studies, the government and society in general.
As previously stated, higher education is sought for different reasons. Each potential student has their own reasons for its pursuit and there is no doubt that education at a higher level is expensive. There is not just the cost of the tuition to consider. Living expenses whilst at study, hidden costs like student unions and parking and the actual study materials like text books also contribute to the expense. The thought of attending a university is tantamount to an impending battle to a new student. The harder curriculum and discipline required is forbidding to say the least. Therefore, with these pressures upon them, it is not fair to add the financial burden as well. Read more…
Diversity versus Excellence
There is a growing movement in all walks of life across America to promote diversity. This movement is active in college admissions, the work force, military admittance, and many other walks of life. Throughout the country universities have been reserving admission spots and using quotas for diverse students as part of affirmative action. Less qualified foreign and minority students should always be required to compete directly with equally or higher qualified white students. In fact admission standards should be totally race and gender blind. Excellence should always take priority over diversity. Affirmative action should be removed from higher educational admission policies altogether. However, liberals appear to control the agenda with respect to affirmative action.
In May of 2003 the University of Michigan was sued by a group of white applicants who were denied admission to the University’s graduate school because they were white. The main focus behind this lawsuit was whether affirmative action should take place in college admission policies. The facts disclosed that less qualified applicants of diverse minorities with lower test scores were admitted at the expense of better-qualified white applicants. The University of Michigan did not deny the plaintiff’s claim and argued that diversity is an essential element of current American society. Read more…
