“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
This is the meaning of education. One can’t place a price on a person’s desire to grow, learn, and achieve success, but especially now more than ever, earning a degree has appeared to be an unachievable dream for many going through financial difficulties.
The only solution that seems plausible is to seek help from the government through the attainment of loans, but as stated in the article, Cancel Student Debt. That’s It. That’s the Headline, by Sarah Osei, “As tuition costs continue to go up, so do loans….” Many people who attend college and graduate, are still currently paying off their student loans. Often, there isn’t a set time or date in which every dollar that is owed, is completely paid off. As mentioned in the article, “...for most Americans, paying off student loans is a life-long commitment.” Around 44 million Americans hold over $1.6 trillion in student debt and these numbers keep growing.
This pandemic has caused many financial burdens, and in light of this fact, our newly appointed President, is insisting on the proposal of canceling $10,000 in student debt. What would happen to future generations who apply to loans to help pay for school, those who had no help to attend college, or those who already obtained a degree and already paid off their debt? How about the other 45 million Americans that never went to college or do not have a high school diploma, do they get $10,000 as well?
There is no question there needs to be college reformation where tuition cost is lowered. If the government does pay off the student loan debt, then tuition will keep rising and 10 years from now, we will be in the same scenario where future generations will have an even harder time obtaining a college education and higher student loans amounts to pay off. Even if tuition can’t be lowered, we then need to take the proper steps in ensuring high school students become college graduates or successful professionals in their line of work. High schoolers are not being taught the right information and they are being forced into colleges in which they are not sure of why they’re attending. We need to present different ways for these students to achieve their goals rather than having to attend expensive schools for them to obtain professional success and financial freedom.
In fact, going to college isn’t the only solution to succeeding. According to an article, Philosophy Degrees and Sales Jobs, written by Paul Fain, only 27% of college graduates actually use their degree when they join the workforce. Students need to be prepared for choosing a college that will actually help towards their career rather than giving them a debt obligation for the rest of their lives . Why not use government money to educate high school students rather than paying off college loans? The government can help protect the future of students who won’t have to take out as much student loans once they are properly supported and educated. They will understand the consequences of taking out loans and what jobs they will need to be financially stable.
All in all, in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King day, students need to first have equal opportunities for education. Secondly, be made aware of their options and the only way we know how to do that is by educating them at the appropriate time. Whether it is going to college, trade school or joining the workforce straight out of high school, college is expensive and there are ways to avoid loans. Supporting students through the implementation of financial literacy and career development programs, like Building Blocks for Kids: MORE Program, can lead to high schoolers learning more about topics in regards to budgeting, entrepreneurship, home ownership, investing, credit, credit cards, taxes and careers. An exposure to these subjects will strengthen the minds of people who find their dreams to be unachievable. Cancelling student debt may be a temporary solution, but supporting high schoolers will prove to be a lifetime beneficial endeavor. As the saying goes, “If you give a person a fish, you feed them for a day, but if you teach a person how to fish, you feed them for a lifetime.”
At Building Blocks for Kids, we believe that we need to educate our youth for their own financial independence, so they can be made accountable for their actions once they reach adulthood. Therefore, it is time for our government to do a few things:
Create high school and college reform (President Biden, Vice President Harris and Education Secretary Cardona, if you need some ideas, please feel free to email us).
Rather than writing off the $1.6 trillion of student loan debt, give that money to programs like Building Blocks for Kids: MORE Program and we’ll have a longer lasting impact on this country.
Develop other alternatives than going to college for individuals to have a healthy professional career.
Bring our country back to being fiscally responsible by lowering our deficit/national debt and making adults accountable for their financial decision making.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The time is always right to do the right thing.”