第49回 の解答

Who Should Pay for University?

The question of who should pay for higher education divides many societies. In countries such as Germany and Norway, public universities charge little or no tuition, reflecting the belief that education is a public good that benefits society as a whole. According to this view, educated citizens contribute to economic growth, pay more in taxes, and participate more actively in democratic life. In contrast, students in the United States and England often pay high fees, on the grounds that graduates themselves gain significantly in the form of higher lifetime earnings.

Both approaches have drawbacks. Free tuition requires substantial tax revenue, and critics note that it can disproportionately benefit wealthier families, whose children are more likely to attend university in the first place. Some countries with free tuition also limit the number of places available, making admission highly competitive. High fees, meanwhile, may discourage talented students from poorer backgrounds from applying, particularly if they are unwilling to take on large debts without knowing whether their degree will lead to a well-paid job.

To balance these concerns, England introduced income-contingent loans, which graduates repay only once their earnings exceed a certain level, with any remaining debt canceled after a fixed number of years. Supporters say this system protects low earners while asking those who benefit most to contribute more. Critics, however, point out that a large share of the debt is never repaid and is eventually covered by taxpayers, meaning that the system is less different from free tuition than it first appears. They also argue that the large sums students formally owe may still deter some from applying.