What is education worth?

Many years ago, for a relatively brief period of time, the Australian government decided that a tertiary education was so vital for the development of our country's economy and industry that they would foot the bill.  All Australians (depending, of course, on whether they met the entry criteria) could receive free university education.

This had a lasting effect on the country's psyche, and we (as a nation) are now convinced that university degrees should be free.  The entire concept of paying for an education is an anathema to the Australian people.

Now, we couldn't actually sustain the free university scheme.  We eventually had to create a Higher Education Loans Scheme to make sure people could attend university without paying up-front, but would need to pay the costs of the education off later, when they were earning a wage and could afford such things.

This was considered something of an affront by many Australians.  Every change, price increase or additional expense associated with getting a degree is considered an affront by many Australians.

But why do we think an education is something we shouldn't pay for?  Do we think the educators, administrators and support staff don't deserve to be paid for their time and expertise?  Is there anything else of any real value that we think should just be handed to us?

The true value of a thing is the amount we are willing to pay for it.  And in Australia, it seems we would rather not pay anything for a university education at all.  So how much do we value it?

And why do we think an education is something we don't pay for?  Is the entire university system supposed to operate on a budget of air and magic?

It's not free.  If we expect the government to pay for our education, then we are expecting the taxpayers to pay for it.  Why should all of those kids doing apprenticeships to learn how to be boilermakers and electricians pay for someone else to do a Bachelor of Arts?

The Australian Defence Forces have an interesting arrangement.  They will pay for your degree, but then you need to work for them for the next few years to justify their costs.  What if the government offered a similar deal?  They cover the costs of your degree, but then you work for them (in the job and location where they most need you) for a number of years to make it worth their while - and, by extension, make it worth the while of the community whose taxes made your education possible.

If you don't want to work for the government, then you can pay for your own education - if you think a tertiary education is worth having.

There are many people in Australia who would be affronted by that idea, just as they are affronted by the idea that one would expect them to pay a cent for their education - either now or in the future.  But if it is worth having, then it's worth working for or paying for.

If you really want a free education, one completely funded by the government and the taxpayers of Australia, then find your local library and start reading.