The decentralization of education from public schools and accredited, regulated universities argued for by Connor Boyack is a trend that could be extremely harmful to the progress of a quality education and competency in the workforce. COVID-19 indeed taught us that zoom classes fail students. A professional environment of higher education was changed in the course of a week to a thrown together Zoom conversation every week that very few want to actually attend. Coursework was changed to thrown-together group projects that are extremely hard to engage in.
To say that this decrease in quality of education was anyone’s fault or that it has made the students less competent though is just cruel. The truth is that change was thrust upon students and professors alike and that each was able to adapt to a situation that was less than ideal to come away with valuable lessons that make them more than competent. Many students want to be able to communicate with professors, enjoy vital socializing, and to enjoy a campus setting to explore interests. Many students simply do not thrive on online courses no matter what institution the courses are through. The job of organized higher education remains to assure employers a competent workforce, but the place of employment must also provide further training and care for the employee. As well the university and employers must account for the fact that COVID-19 isolation has resulted in depression, anxiety and frustration that demands leniency and compassion. Certain careers can be taught in trade schools, but some professions such as social work need to be carefully monitored and regulated to assure competency. When education is decentralized quality is not as well regulated and many scam institutions will draw in more victims. Universities are a place a student can trust and education is for the students first of all.
Another valid argument made is that college is no longer affordable. This is indeed true for individuals who are in historically oppressed groups. This is why more scholarships need to become available and high school curriculums need to incorporate knowledge about grants and ways to afford college. Loan forgiveness could be a savior to many during this especially rocky time. One of the ways college could become more affordable is to have it paid for by the state or nation, but that may go against Boyack’s free market ideals. Decentralization of education is not the answer because existing institutions operate well and ideally students have a voice in the way they function for their success. Putting resources toward making existing higher education affordable to dreamers, oppressed peoples, first generation students, and other groups that encourage diversity in the school environment is worth the effort whereas decentralization would be a drain on those resources.
Colin Ferry, Magna
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