In many parts of the world, some nations tend to provide their citizens with free university education. Eventhough I acknowledge its drawbacks, it is a predominantly positive development.
On the one hand, it can promote equal access across all social groups. By removing tuition fees, students from low-income families, who might be deterred by immense expenses, are allowed to pursue higher education, which directly helps to reduce long-term social and economic inequality. For example, in Germany, tuition fees are relatively low. This will make the access to higher education more equitable, facilitating their opportunities to contribute to the economy in the future by paying taxes during their working periods. Furthermore, a more educated populace makes enormous contributions to the national development. A larger pool of graduates many translate into a more skilled and productive workforce. These educated citizens are better equipped to drive economic growth, ultimately improving the nation’s position in the world.
On the other hand, it can place the heavy burden on government budgets. Covering tuition costs for all students will require both substantial tax increases and deep cuts in other essential public services such as healthcare or infrastructure, placing an unsustainable strain on national finances. As evidenced in Viet Nam from 1954 to 1986, the expanding subsidies for higher education strained public economy, leading to rising tuition caps. Moreover, there is a risk of reduced student motivation and resource waste. If higher education is entirely free, some individuals may enter the university without a genuine commitment or clear career goals. This lack of personal financial investment can lead to students being less likely to value their studies, potentially resulting in higher dropout rates, resulting in ineffective resource allocation in the long run.
In short, despite its positive points to foster equality and and high-skilled workforce, the negative sides namely devaluing education, wasting resource and financial pressure on public budgets far outweigh. From my perspective, the government should not invest completely on higher education pursuits but can support their citizens by providing scholarships, low-interest student loans and tuition subsidies for suitable and exellent individuals.