echo That stack of books for your next semester? It’s probably a lot more expensive than you think. Students everywhere are feeling the pinch as the cost of books climbs higher and higher, day by day. Does this financial factor exert influence on the public’s ability to receive education, especially when it comes to purchasing academic resources like textbooks? Are students priced out of their education then?
The Weight of Rising Education Costs
Considering the fact that education should be accessible to everyone, why does it cost so much to obtain good and quality education? Today, students are facing the costs for exorbitant living expenses, essential goods and ever-increasing academic resources. Tuition fees, particularly in private institutions, are becoming increasingly expensive and have even become a luxury to most. In addition to that, there are also expenses for textbooks, supplies, accommodation, and transportation, costing hundreds of Ringgit; becoming a heavy burden, especially for those who are living away from home. The question is: how can students, often without a stable income, possibly shoulder this immense financial weight that comes hand-in-hand with acquiring knowledge?
This surge in academic costs is a stark manifestation of elitism in education. Students are forced to choose between purchasing essential educational resources and covering basic necessities, perpetuating an inherently inequitable environment. It transforms learning from being a fundamental right into a privilege, where financial status dictates their access to knowledge and opportunities to learn. Consider a student from a low-income family being forced to share a single, outdated textbook with multiple classmates, hindering their ability to fully engage with the material and participate in discussions; this is the tangible impact of educational elitism.
Grasping the Concept: Breaking Down Educational Elitism
Elitism, in its essence, refers to the sociological practice whereby a group is regarded as separate from the mainstream and, in some way, superior. In the aspect of education, elite education is often correlated with plutocratic elitism where quality education is heavily influenced by wealth and social status of fellow students’ households. This leads to unequal opportunities for different socioeconomic groups which significantly affects the marginalized communities, limiting them to expand their horizon and reach their full potential.
The Socioeconomic Barrier: A Hindrance to Education Opportunities
The implications of elitism in education extends beyond mere access to quality education; they also correspond with limited learning experiences and opportunities. The lack of resources – quality tutoring, enrichment programs, up-to-date textbooks and workbooks, and modern technology – creates a disparity between the privileged and the underprivileged.
This inequality manifests in various ways deemed possible. For instance, students from affluent backgrounds often benefit from personalized tutoring, tailored to their individual needs, allowing them to address any specific academic weaknesses that they may face. They are also fortunate to be able to have the option to participate in multitudes of extracurricular activities, enrichment classes, workshops, and language immersion programs, sharpening critical thinking, creativity, and essential skills.
Conversely, students from low-income families often struggle to afford after-school programs and lack the supplementary support necessary for their academic success. This obstructs their learning opportunities and development of personal skills. Not to mention the inability to obtain up-to-date textbooks and technology has become a hindrance to allow their exposure to engage with modern educational content. A recent study revealed that a disturbing number of students received lower grades due to the fact that they could not afford essential materials. This demonstrates the distinct disadvantage that profoundly influences the academic success of students.
If this impediment goes on continuously, it may gradually cause students to lose motivation and believe that advancing their education is pointless or out of reach. It becomes a belief that advanced education is an unattainable dream where the education system is inherently unfair and that their chances of success are limited. As a matter of fact, in the same study conducted, 9.92% of students reported taking fewer courses due to material costs, while 8.88% did not register for any specific course, simply because of the cost. While the percentages may seem low in the grand scheme of a large student population, these numbers aren’t just a statistic; they represent real individuals with aspirations and challenges. They are a testament to lost opportunities, increased stress and anxiety from financial burden and even reinforced inequality where those who are already disadvantaged, are further held back.
In the Malaysian context, the trend of students opting to work immediately after secondary school further underscores this crisis. Statistically, in the year 2021, only half of school graduates were interested in pursuing a higher education, leaving the rest to pursue immediate employment with their secondary-level qualification. Interviews conducted by The Star revealed that rising educational and living costs, coupled with social changes, are prompting many to avoid tertiary education, which is generally costly. Despite aspirations for fulfilling careers, financial realities become a huge setback for many of these individuals, forcing many to abandon their dreams to prioritize immediate income over long-term educational advancement.
How Much Do Scholarships Even Help?
Some may point towards the availability of financial aid and scholarships offered – be it by government bodies, education ministries, corporate sponsors, or even the education institute themselves – as the grand solution. However, while these scholarships offer a glimmer of hope to those in need, they can come with future implications. Need-based scholarships especially, are frequently hyper-competitive due to the substantial volume of applicants, creating a Hunger Games-like scenario that results in many deserving students without adequate support.
Furthermore, some scholarships are tied to bonds or contractual obligations to specific scholarship providers for a set period of time, upon graduation. Although this can guarantee immediate employment, these arrangements may restrict graduates’ career paths which potentially misalign with their true passions, trading off one form of limited freedom for another. Carrying the burden of fulfilling these obligations, alongside managing potential student loan repayments whilst navigating the competitive job market, can undeniably create immense stress which, while helpful, are often just a door to a room of endless obstacles. Hence, despite the value of scholarships for some, they often serve as a temporary measure rather than a definitive path to equitable opportunities.
Road to a More Equitable Future
The pervasive nature of education elitism demands for proactive solutions. It is vital to address and dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality and create opportunities for all individuals, especially when the succeeding generations shape the future. It is time to volunteer for tutoring sessions in underserved communities, donate books to local schools, advocate for increased funding for public education, and engage in open, honest conversations about the magnitude of elitism within our educational systems. Do all these to the best of your abilities, for every action, no matter how small, contributes to the larger movement of equity.
It is time to move beyond passive observation and demand change to combat educational elitism. Within every student lies the potential to shape a better and more equitable future. Education ought to be accessible to all, irrespective of one’s economic background.
Written By: Felicia
Edited By: Ashley
