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. 

Will having less students studying at University due to rising fees break the backbone of our future society?

Will less students studying at University due to rising fees break the backbone of our future society? 

When the news is on, it seems to be constantly about cuts and deficit and how the country is planning to deal with it- but can we? 


Now, I'm no expert, but David Cameron and his Lib Dems appear to be scrambling for anything, anywhere to find somewhere to save a few million (be it the NHS or free cheese)- but isn't the whole point of recovering from a recession ensuring it never happens again? This Weimar Germany-style approach to the future, making as many short-term fixes as possible to sustain the maximum level of votes doesn't bode well. Never mind students, we may well have a Neo-Nazi uprising on our hands.

Yes, making students pay triple the current rate for their further education will save millions- but how does this actually help? Surely, getting the maximum amount of students through University and in to jobs, where they will actually begin to financially contribute to society makes more sense than leaving thousands of students with thousands of pounds in lifelong debt; placing a further financial burden on society. But, maybe that's just me.

 Worse still, in classic Conservative fashion,the move predominately benefits the rich of our free society. But,of course, in honour of political correctness they have shoved in a claim to help the poorest of families, to subdue the media and anarchists alike. But where does this leave the millions of families who earn too much to claim help, but earn too little to cope with the financial burden of sending their children to University? People say the class system is dead, but why is it that the living standards of the average earner has become a no man's land, where no Tory cares nor dares to explore (for fear of damaging his spotless suit and already not so spotless reputation).

Maybe limiting the amount of students allowed in to Universities each year would be a positive thing. But, surely, University places should be allocated on intelligence and potential rather than the size of a parent's pay slip.