Education and healthcare are two pillars of modern societies. Whether such services should be privatised or funded by the state for all citizens is debatable. I think the provision of healthcare and education services ought to be state-funded since it can be a long-term investment in a society’s well-being.
Making education available for all is an investment in a nation’s minds. Providing free education for all social classes can cultivate the capabilities of young minds to find solutions to domestic problems. Moreover, allowing children of socially deprived backgrounds free education opportunities will improve their prospects in life and translate into lower crime and addiction rates. Since governments adopting free education policies often enforce high taxation rates, funding the education sector then becomes a means repayable spending rather than a burden on a country’s budget.
Another means of investing in human capital in the provision of free healthcare. The physical well-being of a population is directly proportional to the employable portion of a society. This can be exemplified by the national mother and child health schemes. Such programs providing periodic check-ups and educational support for pregnant females as well as free vaccination for the newborn directly lead to less prevalence of transmittable diseases. A healthier younger population means a more robust workforce.
In conclusion, providing education and healthcare as free services for all can be viewed as a valuable investment in a society. Otherwise, public spending will have to be diverted to combating escalating crime rates and endemic diseases.