Think Twice Before Trashing Higher Education

With videos such as Why I Hate School But Love Education entering the debate over the value of education, is there a danger that this backlash will become little more than the latest internet trend, just another outlet for the adolescent need to rebel against the mainstream? In secondary schools throughout the country, the forever repeated message that ‘a university education is the only way to prosperity’ is being rejected. However, the valuable question is not whether this is right or wrong (that is an individual choice). The valuable question is why, and what the consequences may be.

Obviously, the rising cost of a University education has led to a re-evaluation of a value of a degree and The Guardian reflects that the number of UK applicants dropped8.9% after fees tripled for 2012 entry. Arguably the availability of bursaries and means tested loans has cushioned the financial blow for many and, ironically, the middle classes have been hit hardest.  But that’s another story.Before 2011, a degree was viewed as a commodity, but as Suli Banks reiterates “as the cyclical and seemingly never ending debate about education rages on, the topic - somewhat ironically, often poses more questions than it provides answers.” Clearly, people have begun to question the generally accepted view that a degree will make your life easier and is the only way to succeed. However, this has the dangerous potential to undermine education generally, rather than a degree as an institution. While non-Univeristy paths to future success are as valid as they always have been but, truthfully, I am unlikely to be a Steve Jobs/Mark Zuckerburg/ Richard Branson success story. The real issue here is the root justification for rejecting higher education: the focus on cost and money. Yes, a degree may lead to a higher average annual salary, but will it not also provide an enriching experience over 3 years to broaden one’s intellectual horizons? Is that not why Universities were first created? Is that not the main motivation for applying?It is inherently wrong for society to value education in relation to money. Universities were created in order for intellectual exploration and to engage in the privilege, and pleasure, of learning. Education itself should be seen as valuable, and not simply a means to an end.In fact, can the rejection against ‘society’ be reduced down to the- dare I say it- ‘hipster’ fashion of rejecting the mainstream, that ironically has become so mainstream? It would be a travesty if this superficial attitude that values the controversial over reality actually undermined the value of education. Yes, one can succeed without a degree, but what if people fail to see the distinction between having a degree and beingeducated? Aristotle understood, Hume understood and Suli Banks understands: ‘my campus is my mind.’ The attitude that a University education is not the only way to success is perfectly correct, but it still remains that education in itself will always be inherently valuable.Whether education is achieved through experience, reading, individual reflection or preferably all three, education will always reign as the track to success. Let’s just hope that while it is ‘cool’ to undervalue institutions, education itself won’t lose its ancient sanctity or be reduced as a means to a Bentley.