In the annals of history, there exists a tale of a generation blessed with opportunities that seemed boundless. They reveled in the abundance of free education, nourished by free meals, and embraced by free accommodations. Their journey was eased by the presence of house helps, alleviating the burdens of household chores. Upon completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), they were not merely handed diplomas; they were gifted cars and bestowed with job opportunities aplenty.
Yet, as time unfolds its relentless march, the winds of change have swept away the benevolent provisions of yore. The torchbearers of yesterday, now guardians of the present, find themselves unable, or perhaps unwilling, to extend the same hand of opportunity to the burgeoning generation. Instead of the open gates of education without financial shackles, the youth are met with the ominous shadow of student loans, dangling like a sword of Damocles over their futures.
Gone are the days when education was not a privilege but a birthright, when the promise of a brighter tomorrow was not dimmed by the weight of debt. The promise of a better life, once guaranteed upon graduation, now fades into the background, obscured by the specter of loan repayments. How can one build a future when burdened by the chains of debt from the outset?
The betrayal lies not merely in the absence of free education but in the absence of opportunities that once followed its completion. Where are the job offers that once awaited the freshly minted graduates? Where are the pathways to success that were once paved with the bricks of opportunity? Instead, the youth are left to fend for themselves in a world where degrees are devalued and debts are the only certainties.
The argument presented by the proponents of student loans often revolves around the notion of personal responsibility and the need for individuals to shoulder the costs of their education. Yet, this argument conveniently ignores the systemic injustices that perpetuate inequality and hinder upward mobility. It disregards the fact that not all have equal access to resources and opportunities, and that saddling the youth with insurmountable debt only serves to widen the chasm of disparity.
Moreover, the burden of student loans does not merely rest on the shoulders of the individual; it reverberates throughout society, stifling economic growth and perpetuating a cycle of poverty. How can one contribute to the economy when a significant portion of their income is siphoned off to repay debts? How can one aspire to home ownership, entrepreneurship, or even starting a family when weighed down by the albatross of student loans?
It is time for society to reckon with the consequences of forsaking the principles of equitable access to education and opportunity. It is time to restore the promise of a better future for all, not just for the privileged few. It is time to break free from the chains of student loan servitude and pave the way for a new era of prosperity and progress.
The transition from free education to the quagmire of student loans represents not just a policy shift but a betrayal of intergenerational trust. It is a betrayal of the ideals of equality and meritocracy upon which societies purportedly stand. It is incumbent upon us, the custodians of the present, to rectify this betrayal and pave the way for a future where education is truly a beacon of hope, not a yoke of debt.
Abu, a Public Affairs Analyst can be reached via danjumaabu3750@gmail.com or +2348062380296
