I was happy to see the issue of student debt addressed in the Dec. 3 editorial ‘Students facing a mountain of debt’. As a prospective UVic student myself, the concern of financial limitations has been mild but present, and I know that many are not as lucky as me.
It seems the issue is sometimes overshadowed by others – as serious as they may be – and with such a pressing relevance to myself I find it important to recognize the challenge students face as they take on this critical step not just for their own education but for the betterment of society. The article’s succinct call for change, citing the provincial economy, dependent on a skilled workforce, voices my thoughts exactly.
If the government does not act to subsidize some of these costs, and the overwhelming cycle of student loans is not addressed, our society as a whole will suffer. I was especially glad to see the author focus on the necessity of need-based scholarships, which, as is mentioned, were eliminated nearly a decade ago.
Yes, students deserve recognition for their performance through high school, but not at the cost of another student’s opportunity. Hopefully the issue will continue to receive the attention it deserves and students will eventually be able to receive a necessary education without sacrificing other aspects of their life. I also hope local sources such as the Oak Bay News can continue to generate a successful push for progress.
Amir Harding
Seattle, Wash.