Tuition Hikes

The tuition hikes case is, in my opinion, a hard one to comment wisely for, it is one of those issues that raise the passion. However, I must say that in the first place, I find it revolting that tuitions will have increased of more than a thousand dollars while some students already plan to be spending their first years on the job market, to pay their debts. It also makes the situation more complicated in the present for, some students have to work a few hours more per week, sacrificing time they usually allow on studying, sleeping or relaxing.

On the other hand, we face a much bigger political issue than it seems. Unfortunately, our society has arrived at the time to make sacrifices. The fact is that the public system that was built in the 70's has been thought in the short term. The result is that the baby boomers took everything without thinking about the far smaller generation that followed. In other words, money is running out and the state is less able to contribute in order to ensure adequate services. We have to make a choice between lower tuition or adequate infrastructures and well financed programs. What is worth more, money or education?

In my case, the tuition hikes will not have a significant impact on my education since I am eligible for the government’s loans and bursaries program, that I have a husband to help me and parents that have the means and insist to help me a lot. I will probably have to buy less books and music albums but this is luxury I can live without.

Tuition hikes will probably prevent some young people from the poorest classes to drop higher education. Students could choose careers that may be paid or may choose shorter programs which could create needs for labor in certain sectors. The gap between the richest and the poorest will dig a little deeper as the less well fortunate will find it difficult to leave the wheel of poverty. In fact, the cultural elite is increasingly synonymous with financial elite.