Summary Critique
Education in colleges has become quite expensive in recent years. The federal government has provided loans to students to finance their college education. While the intention was to reduce the burden on the students and their families to enable them achieve their dreams but by no means least, at last, the whole system has turned out to increase the burden on the students and their families. This has left the students in a situation whereby they have been forced to recall their education or seek other methods by which they can fund their education. The reasons behind these predicaments have been borne by the same system that was deemed a savior for the young and aspiring generation who are eager to further their education.
The system has issues right from the onset. Registering for the funding itself is quite a nightmare for the students. One is required to fill more than a hundred pages of personal information. This is just but a reflection of what to expect once you are approved to get the loan; more hardships. The system funds more than half of population of students in colleges according to Jeffrey Williams (Debt Education. 2006). The problem has been the ever increasing debt for the students who are clients of the system. The average debt per student has continually increased over the years and this has not been made easier by the inflation rates that have eclipsed the economy since the turn of the century. The biggest problem has been the daring fact that the system has not been flexible towards these inflation rates while the repayments rates have been adjusted so frequently.
The education system has been so much commercialized that its benefits to the students have been more or less compromised. Jeffrey notes that those who are able to complete their education amidst the hardships take long periods of time to repay the loans. They have to make a livelihood while also performing their obligation as required by the terms of repayment that they agreed to. This has placed a burden on the coffers from which the system is funded in the case where the repayment is slow. All these problems have been brought about by the commercialization of the education system while taking little concern of the intended beneficiaries and the current operating conditions.
Jeffrey’s argument on education-related debts is very strong. The choice of the title, “Debt Education” is attention-catching. The ever-increasing cost of financing education is something that has affected every household. As Jeffery points out, over half of college students use loans to finance their education. This is testament that his argument cuts across many classes and as such unavoidable to read. Many people can identify with this argument since the high costs of education have not spared any one starting from students to parents. Even graduates who are in employment are really feeling the pinch of paying academics debts amidst the hard economic times.
His rich professional background further backs the credibility and thus strength of Jeffrey’s argument on education and academics. This position places him at a very authoritative place whenever education is the topic. Jeffrey does not stop at simply forwarding an argument but goes a step ahead to back his argument with data from a well-conducted research. As he inter relates the figures since 1992, to 2002 and making an approximation of where the figures ought to stand is something that gives his article extra credit.
Reform is thus inevitable. The concerned authorities and especially the federal governments Department of Education need to come to a round table discussion with stakeholders in the education sector and find an amicable solution to these issues that have been raised by Jeffrey. Whether commercialized or not, the education sector cannot ignore the plight of the student.
Works cited
Williams, Jeffrey J. "Debt Education." Bad for the Young, Bad for America 53.3 (2006): 53-59. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.
