The several dilemmas facing Higher Education in the United States are well documented and become topics for discussion on a regular basis. Lack of funding, low levels of education among under-represented groups, and the gap in education among the older and younger generations of the nation are just a few topics that warrant further review. However, it is easy to find examples of countries around the world that are suffering Higher Education woes of their own. The following discussion may add some perspective on how problems in the U.S. stack up against Higher Education around the globe.
While many students in the U.S. struggle with whether they can afford to attend college or not, Norway is struggling with whether or not they can continue to offer free education for all students. Free education for all, literally means all, even international students. This is a practice that Denmark and Sweden have recently abandoned, causing a significant increase in the number of international students finding their way to Norway for a free education. While this may not seem like a significant issue, or at least one that most of us would welcome in our own country, there are underlying issues. Norway strong values equality, and this includes the right of everyone to receive an education. An initiation of even modest fees could significantly hamper the underlying values of the country. Additionally, the country is already experiencing a decrease in population. This trend could become significantly worse if international, and national students, chose to live elsewhere during, and after the completion of, their education. Still, there are worse problems elsewhere.
Malaysia is being severely hampered by the rules, regulations, and policies that are present at Higher Education institutions in the country. Creativity and critical thinking are all but crushed at the gates of the universities, as status-quo thinking and standardized political views are forced upon all graduates of Higher Education in the country. Students are forced to conform to certain standards. There are too many issues with such a system to even list in this blog. The biggest issue that jumps out however, is the concern for the future of this country. The education structure is simply limiting the advancement of this country. If everyone is educated in exactly the same manner, and forced into a specific way of thinking, then it does not matter the percentage of educated citizens, as one could do the thinking for thousands that have exactly the same views.
One of the most troubling situations in Higher Education seems to come from Sudan. In a country that already has a very poor education system, the Minister of Higher Education has suspended private universities based on lack of infrastructure, standardized curriculums, and general incompetence. The suspension of private universities has placed a burden on citizens to spend large sums of money to attend schools that are great distances away, as there are only 5 institutions with recognition from the nation. The problems only begin to spiral from this point, as the 5 universities have created a monopoly on education in the nation, even though they lack a sufficient number of qualified professors to teach students. The issues in Sudan should begin to develop deep rooted stakes in moral and ethical conversation, and not just ones of policy.
Generally, we can say that Higher Education in the United States faces many challenges. But, as we examine other nations around the world it is easy to realize that we are not alone in this dilemma, and in many cases we are much better off than other nations in this regard. Furthermore, it is unrealistic to expect perfection from a system that has been flawed for hundreds of years. Rather, we should focus on issues that we can chip away at over time and make progress with, rather than try to make everything perfect all at once.
Thank you, Jason, for putting some of our Higher Education woes into perspective. As we all look to becoming a global society, having insight into the challenges and policies affecting Higher Education in other areas of the world is imperative. While it is healthy for us to be concerned when stuttering students are forced to change classes, it’s also important to recognize we could be working at an institution facing public riots and a lack of personal security. Although we could pat ourselves on the back for moving towards more complex issues and development, we should also be prepared to step back and help our colleagues, in this country and in others, through their most difficult situations. Inevitably, we’re all working towards the same goals.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good post.For example, in my country-Saudi Arabia- universities education is free for all citizens and in all majors. Also, the college students are getting a monthly salary, also they gave the distinct students nearly 300 dollar every month for their diligence, but university’s admission requires the GPA which depends on each field requirements. Also, monthly bonus be reduced if student gets a warning letter, and if student gets the second warning, half of his/her bonus will be deducted, with the third warning means that three quarters will be gone, by the fourth warning the student be expelled from the university.
ReplyDeleteThis is bonus motivation and in addition to the scholarship program of internal and external universities and all are free. In addition to reducing the price of textbooks in the University’s bookshop, and reduce the price of eating on campus.
Free education stimulates a lot of undergraduate study and creating an educated class of higher education in a short period of time. Universities are now seeking to meet the requirements of the labor market by graduating student in certain disciplines.
Putting everything in perspective...something that "we" as individuals and "we" as the US institutions should keep in mind. The US higher education system does have many challenges to face. Many unpleasant decisions and significant predicaments are on the horizon but we must count our blessing too.
ReplyDeleteThe higher education in Mexico is another systems that has severe issues. The educational system in Mexico is expensive, dysfunctional and corrupt. About 93 percent of the educational budget, goes to the payment of teacher’s salaries. These educators are members of the National Education Workers Union (SNTE). The remaining budget is for infrastructure support, building of new schools, teacher and staff training, and to improve the academic curriculum and programs.
The funding of the education in Mexico is not even comparable to any other country in the world. The schools are a mess administratively and the structures are obsolete. Ironically, the SNTE union members enjoy long vacations, 85 days off a years, etc. A completely dysfunctional system! The result being that some 85% of public university graduates in Mexico are unemployed, underemployed or not even working in the area of their study. (http://mexidata.info/id1349.html)
In other words, the research could go on and on at the university systems throughout the world that are suffering much more than we are here in the United States. As "we" need to continue to make progress and adapt to our changing environment, "we" do need to realize that our situation is not completely desperate like those that are being faced in other countries.