Writing Task 2 Sample 3

Writing Task 2 - Sample 3: Education

Topic: Some people believe that university education should be completely
free, while others believe students and their families should pay at least part
of the cost. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Today, in many countries having a university degree is a prerequisite condition for
young people to secure a decent job. Because of this, many people believe that it
would only be fair if everyone had access to university education, hence it should
be free. At the same time, others refute that students and their families should pay
for their higher education, partially if not completely. Both opinions have their
own rationale, which will be discussed in this essay before arriving to a reasoned
conclusion.
People who believe in free university education argue that it leads to a more
educated and productive workforce which in turn positively enhances economic
growth. A current study reveals that the most powerful economies in the world,
such as the United States, Canada and Japan have higher rates of university
graduates in comparison with developing countries. It can be seen that there is a
correlation between economic growth and higher education. Thus, to enhance the
quality of the workforce, higher education should be made accessible to everyone
and therefore it should be free.
On the other hand, people who are against this idea argue it is unjust for people
who do not want go to university to subsidize those that do. Higher education is
expensive, as evidenced by a recent estimate in Australia that a free university
system would cost the government 23 billion dollars a year. In order to raise this
huge amount of money, the government would have to force people to pay more
taxes. That means a larger portion of people’s wages, including those who do not


intend to go to university, will be cut to pay for the education of those who
potentially have higher income. In other terms, it is making the poor pay for the
rich, which is unfair. Thus, university education should not be provided for free.

In conclusion, it can be seen that both sides can be strongly justified. However, I
believe that free higher education is an ideal which is not quite realistic. According
to the aforementioned argument by the latter group, it is not fair for people who do
not go to university to subsidize those that do. It would cause a negative reaction in
the portion of the workforce which effectively diminishes national economic
growth. The government can resolve this problem by providing loans to those who
wish to go to university instead.