Ethical Argument Essay: Post-Secondary Education For All
Hannah
ENG3UV
Mrs. Kosterski
Friday, July-04-14
Post-Secondary Education for All
After high school, students enter the next part of their lives known as college or university. This is a big step in a student’s education, but many students cannot go forth for one reason or another or simply because they were never given the opportunity because of their financial situation. Every student should have the right to free post-secondary education. Not only would this help those students a tight spot, but it could also improve colleges and universities reputations as well as agree with the ethical argument that “education should not be a commodity that is bought and sold.”
Post-secondary education is a very big and costly investment, and the sad truth is that many students cannot take this next step, simply because they do not have the extra money to move forward. These students end up taking out huge loans to pay for their tuition, and end up graduation piled in debts that they may never pay off. Also, many students without the money to move forward could have the brains to take this next step, but are not given the opportunity. "What …show more content…
if the cure for cancer is trapped inside the mind of someone who can't afford an education?" (Unknown). This is a very interesting statement and elaborates on the fact that those who don’t have money are just as smart-if not smarter- than those who do. If post-secondary education was available for all, these students could be given the chance to grow academically and act on their right to education, whereas before they could not.
If the colleges and universities changed their acceptance policies by raising their standards rather than charging students large sums for tuition, they could easily gain the best of the best in the means of students by forcing them to be more competitive to gain entrance, thus improving the college or universities reputation. Universities and colleges often pride themselves on having the cream of the crop and having many successful students, but having them have to gain entrance by having high averages and other academic success would ensure the positive reputation of the universities and colleges. According to Lloyd Armstrong; Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, “Increased competition will provide more options for students, and students will respond by maximizing benefits to themselves as individuals.” In the end, the students as well as the universities and colleges would prosper in this new and more competitive environment, pushing them towards their entitlement of educational success in their future.
Lastly, having post-secondary education cost a price in the first place, goes against the ethic statement that much like health care, education should be available for anyone who wants it and should not be exchanged for large sums of money.
Canada signed and in 1976 authorized the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, promising that, "Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all" (Article 13.2.c). In the thirty-seven years since the treaty was signed, not only has free post-secondary education not been available for students, but the cost of higher education has dramatically increased. Canada is not a country to go against legal obligations, yet here it is happening. In conclusion, Canada signed to make it a right to have free post-secondary education, now we need to act on
it.
Free higher education has many advantages for each individual student and for Canada as a whole. Those who would not have the chance before to enter into the next academic step of their lives would be given the chance and able to avoid huge unpayable debts. Universities and colleges would prosper in their reputations after raising the standards to ensure academic success for all their students and lastly, Canada would be following through with the treaty they signed thirty-seven years ago, promising that free higher education would be available to any student who wanted it. Education is an entitlement that every student should have. “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” (Kofi Annan)
ENG3UV
Mrs. Kosterski
Friday, July-04-14
Post-Secondary Education for All
After high school, students enter the next part of their lives known as college or university. This is a big step in a student’s education, but many students cannot go forth for one reason or another or simply because they were never given the opportunity because of their financial situation. Every student should have the right to free post-secondary education. Not only would this help those students a tight spot, but it could also improve colleges and universities reputations as well as agree with the ethical argument that “education should not be a commodity that is bought and sold.”
Post-secondary education is a very big and costly investment, and the sad truth is that many students cannot take this next step, simply because they do not have the extra money to move forward. These students end up taking out huge loans to pay for their tuition, and end up graduation piled in debts that they may never pay off. Also, many students without the money to move forward could have the brains to take this next step, but are not given the opportunity. "What …show more content…
if the cure for cancer is trapped inside the mind of someone who can't afford an education?" (Unknown). This is a very interesting statement and elaborates on the fact that those who don’t have money are just as smart-if not smarter- than those who do. If post-secondary education was available for all, these students could be given the chance to grow academically and act on their right to education, whereas before they could not.
If the colleges and universities changed their acceptance policies by raising their standards rather than charging students large sums for tuition, they could easily gain the best of the best in the means of students by forcing them to be more competitive to gain entrance, thus improving the college or universities reputation. Universities and colleges often pride themselves on having the cream of the crop and having many successful students, but having them have to gain entrance by having high averages and other academic success would ensure the positive reputation of the universities and colleges. According to Lloyd Armstrong; Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, “Increased competition will provide more options for students, and students will respond by maximizing benefits to themselves as individuals.” In the end, the students as well as the universities and colleges would prosper in this new and more competitive environment, pushing them towards their entitlement of educational success in their future.
Lastly, having post-secondary education cost a price in the first place, goes against the ethic statement that much like health care, education should be available for anyone who wants it and should not be exchanged for large sums of money.
Canada signed and in 1976 authorized the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, promising that, "Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all" (Article 13.2.c). In the thirty-seven years since the treaty was signed, not only has free post-secondary education not been available for students, but the cost of higher education has dramatically increased. Canada is not a country to go against legal obligations, yet here it is happening. In conclusion, Canada signed to make it a right to have free post-secondary education, now we need to act on
it.
Free higher education has many advantages for each individual student and for Canada as a whole. Those who would not have the chance before to enter into the next academic step of their lives would be given the chance and able to avoid huge unpayable debts. Universities and colleges would prosper in their reputations after raising the standards to ensure academic success for all their students and lastly, Canada would be following through with the treaty they signed thirty-seven years ago, promising that free higher education would be available to any student who wanted it. Education is an entitlement that every student should have. “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” (Kofi Annan)