6.3
SHOULD UNIVERSITY BE FREE?
60
READING
1
Work with a partner to discuss the
following.
1
Is university free in Bahrain?
2
Do you know any countries in which
university is free for everyone?
3
Do you know any countries where
students have to take out big loans to
pay for their education?
2
a
Read the article quickly and find
three reasons why the writer thinks that
university should be free for everyone.
2
b
Read the article again and match
the summary sentences below to the
paragraphs 1–5.
a
Some poor people will not go to
university if costs are high.
b
University should be free because it is
good for society as a whole.
c
David Keller is in favour of a rise in
university fees.
d
University should be free because of
economic reasons.
e
University should be free because it
promotes greater equality.
3
Challenging opinions
Work in pairs.
Find the four opinions in the article that
you find the most interesting. Then think of
four counter-arguments to those opinions.
4
In small groups, discuss the following.
1
Is it worth going to university if fees
are high?
2
What percentage of the population
should go to university?
3
Do you think university should be free
for everyone?
30 APRIL
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EDITORIAL AND OPINION
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Free University Education
By Jessica Brook
1
A few weeks ago, David Keller,
who is rich enough to pay for all
his children to go to private school,
wrote a column in News Focus
supporting a further increase
in university fees. His attitude,
which was very unsympathetic to
students, made me angry. It has
motivated me to explain why I feel
strongly that university should be
free for everyone.
2
There are a number of reasons for
my opinion. First, greater equality.
Free university education enables
everyone to have the opportunity
to study. If there are tuition fees,
students have to take out big
loans to finance their studies.
They will take years to pay back
the money. When they graduate,
instead of working for their future,
they will be working to pay back
their past. Young people from
poor backgrounds are less able to
get into debt, but students whose
parents are rich can pay off their
loans more easily. Tuition fees,
therefore, are very unfair. Free
university education will be a step
towards a more equal society.
3
Second, the benefits for society.
Young people who graduate
benefit society as a whole. They
use their knowledge and skills to
help other people. For example,
a qualified doctor helps to treat
other people. People with degrees
can become teachers and share
their knowledge with others. When
the number of people who get
a university education rises, the
number of people who benefit from
their education also rises. Surely
it is right that society, which needs
highly qualified people, should pay
for those students’ education.
4
Third, the economic argument.
Higher education produces a more
educated and qualified workforce.
Countries with high rates of
university education have higher
levels of innovation and growth.
They attract foreign investors and
create new businesses which lead
to more jobs for their citizens.
Because people who go to
university will earn more, they will
pay more tax. As a result, there
will be more money for essential
social services such as health,
education and welfare.
5
People like David Keller do not
live in the real world. They do
not understand one simple fact.
Many poorer young people, who
don’t have rich parents to rely on,
will be put off by the high cost of
studying at university even if loans
are available. Their talent will be
lost to our country. Free university
education is a right, not a
privilege. It would bring enormous
benefits to our society.
