I am writing as a secondary school student, and as a family member of a university student.
My sister, who attends Vancouver Island University, is in debt because of her schooling. She pays roughly $5,000 per semester in tuition alone. This is unacceptable.
How is a student who has school for 17 hours a week supposed to get a full-time, minimum wage job so they can almost afford rent?
My sister is just one of the many students struggling. We can help the students by getting rid of tuition for post-secondary education. The students will benefit from having no student debts from tuitions, and from other financial aid services.
Another benefit of free tuition for post-secondary education will be the benefit to the economy. The economy can benefit from having more post-secondary graduates, and that will happen if we have tuition-free post-secondary education.
We need to figure out a solution to this problem. Education is a right for everyone, no matter if they are poor or rich.
Sophia Reed is a Powell River resident.
