There has been a lot of talk recently, especially in the Democratic debates, about making college free and forgiving student loan debts. Education should be free. Whether we are student or teacher, we are all learning all of the time. Knowledge is empowering and empowered people are less likely to succumb to the many evils of which less educated people are often subjected. Prior to public education, many people learned a trade or skill from one who was already skilled at his work. Knowledge was handed down from elders and mentors. Hands on learning provided the possibility of honing and perfecting one’s newly acquired craft. The value of apprenticeships, to both the expert and the apprentice, has been cast aside in favor of a competitive grading system.
Many required courses in high school and college are a waste of time and effort for the student. Perhaps the more classes a student can be required to take, to prolong the sought after degree, the more money can be pocketed from the learning institution. While students are forced to learn irrelevant things and memorize useless facts, their opportunity to become contributing members of society is delayed. Many students drop out with a sense of hopelessness and loss as to their true purpose. Another lesser known truth is that often what is taught in schools is not necessarily true. History has been written by the so called winners and few students question the authority of those teaching. In the United States we have been raised to believe that a democracy is the best form of government. What they have failed to impart is that democracy does not equate to equality. Many people are awakening to the fact that we have been lied to. We are not a true democracy. Capitalism is the law of the land we are currently living in, which serves only the rich, or about 1% of the population.
I may have gone to college if it had been free. Still, I choose to learn what I choose to learn and life is too short to take unrelated courses just so that I can get the over-rated letters behind my name. Astra Taylor, author, activist and filmmaker, was quoted in The Sun November 2019 issue #527 as saying, “If you’re allowed to be an independent songwriter or an independent painter, then why can’t I be an independent scholar?” This resonated strongly with me because I have spent my life learning those things that I want to learn and becoming an expert on the things that I am passionate about and love doing. Granted, I may have learned more quickly if I had known an apprentice; but that age is long past. Children love to learn and I believe that even adults, who have not become jaded by the system, also love to learn. Let’s make education free – for everyone! And, let’s bring back apprenticeships to pass on our gifts.
