Question: One argument states that higher education should be
open to everyone, regardless of background. The opposing argument says that only the elite students should be allowed to proceed. Discuss these ideas. Do you agree or disagree? Explain why
The idea that an education should be available to all or restricted to only good students requires scrutiny on two points. Mainly, the term good needs clarification beyond the common idea of better-than-average grades. Plus, the word open needs a stricter definition than the normal usage. Let’s delve into these ideas.
To insist that students should have an unusually high grade point average to attend college is rooted in the idea that the more motivated students will excel. This is true in many cases. However, the idea of good transcends the stereotype of the guy with thick glasses and his head in a book for six hours every night, in addition to school. The student not taken into consideration here is the one that works for six hours every night in addition to going to school during the day. His grades may be at the B average, but his time is spread more thinly than that of the student who has all As and has never worked a day in his life. Therefore, the common idea of a good student fails under that light, which leads to the concept
of openness.
In many countries now, higher education is available to all students, at least in terms of open enrollment. Nevertheless, available does not mean free. In the United States, for example, people have the option to attend even if they do not take the high school diploma, but school may not be paid for by the government. Yet, loans are available; there is little excuse not to attend, if a person truly wants to do so. With the right application and the right contacts through government agencies, an aspiring scholar can get that degree. Opportunity is there. There are numerous monies accessible to the public, even in developing countries, such as private grants, private scholarships, federal loans, private loans, and private scholarships, and these are even gotten sometimes by students in developing countries, financed by some of the world’s superpowers. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
The systems are not perfect, and not everyone can live a luxurious life. But the chances are there if people pursue their options. Regardless of what some others may think, we all have to follow our dreams.
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