A lot has been said about whether education should be free for everyone. Some argue that governments should provide zero-cost education at all levels for all, while others exclude tertiary education, leaving it to individuals. I think these viewpoints are partial truths that point to a bigger picture.
Education is a public good. It is similar to roads, clean water, or healthcare, which society benefits from either implicitly or explicitly when citizens are educated. If people have to pay for it, not everyone will be able to afford it, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. This imbalance in education and the presence of illiteracy in society can be just as damaging to everyone as wildfire is destructive to all trees in a forest, because poor decisions are often made by those who lack a basic understanding of the world due to an inability to read and write.
However, education beyond the basics is a personal choice. Not every farmer, mechanic, or salesperson may wish to pursue additional advanced training beyond primary and secondary levels, even if it is funded by the state. Paid higher education also improves efficiency. Instead of providing free higher-level education for everyone, those who are motivated and financially capable will be trained, which helps avoid wasting public money on individuals who might undervalue or feel demotivated by the free training they receive.
These discussions imply that education is a universal right and therefore a government duty to promote an educated society with limited discrimination against the less privileged and prosperity for everyone. However, beyond primary and secondary education, government intervention through student loans or subsidies might be necessary only if economic conditions do not support the less fortunate; otherwise, tax revenue should not be spent on personal choices.
