GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 306
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people feel that the government should pay the costs of running universities so that a university education will be free for anyone who wants it.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer:
Many people argue that the state ought to pay for university costs so that these scholastic institutions will be made available to anyone who deserves it. This essay entirely agrees with this opinion because it will bring about positive externalities, promote equality, and fulfil the increasing demand for skilled graduates.
The most justifiable reason for state-backed university education is the positive externalities of higher education. Generally, tertiary education does offer various external benefits to the nation. In simple words, it leads to a more productive and educated workforce. Nations with higher rates of higher education tend to have greater levels of innovation and productivity growth. There is thus a justification for the government subsidizing tertiary education.
The same goes for equality. Higher education should be free to ensure equality of opportunity. Many international organizations support this notion. According to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (IESC), for instance, “higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education”. Therefore, the onus is on the government to make tertiary education equally accessible by playing an active role in tertiary education finance.
Further ahead, there is also a strong argument that university education ought to be free so that it can meet the growing demand of specialization of work. The global economy has led countries, such as India to specialize in high-tech as well as high value-added products and services. India’s biggest export industries include automobiles, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and nuclear technology to name but a few. Therefore, there is a desperate need for university graduates who can contribute greatly to these high-tech industries.
In conclusion, the essay believes that the government should bear the cost of higher education because it will yield many positive externalities. It will promote equality, and satisfy the increasing demand for skilled graduates in high-tech industries.