Introduction
The government collects taxes from every citizen, which are used to fund various social services within the community. The mode of tax collection may vary depending on a person’s earnings, social class, and purchasing power of products and services. Individuals who earn higher salaries or have more substantial incomes tend to pay higher taxes than those with lower incomes.
In the United States, the federal government supplies education funding through several programs, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the Higher Education Act. State and local governments also provide funding for education through their taxation and spending programs. Still, they do not consider private education, despite the people utilizing private learning paying part of the taxes collected.
There are two main perspectives on government support for education: one argues that the government should offer financial assistance to parents who effectively pay twice for their children’s schooling. At the same time, the other contends that the government should not provide any such financial aid (Review education policies – education GPS, 2020). Each side presents valid arguments that will be explored to understand the government’s involvement in education and how it can be funded fairly.
Arguments in Favor of Government Support for Parents Paying Twice
The primary justification for government support is that it is unjust for parents to bear the cost of their children’s education twice. They pay taxes that support the public school system, and then they also have to pay for private school tuition (Review education policies – education GPS 2020). This is not an insignificant expense, and it puts a burden on parents who are already facing economic hardship. It is not fair to ask them to pay twice for their children’s education.
One reason why the government should financially aid parents who pay twice for education is that it would help level the playing field between families of different socio-economic backgrounds. Families from lower socio-economic backgrounds often have less financial resources to invest in education, which can put them at a disadvantage (The role of government in education, 2021). Parents who homeschool or offer other types of private education must gather all learning materials independently, which can be more expensive compared to those who attend public school (The role of government in education, 2021). By offering financial support, the government can help reduce the overall cost of education, making it more affordable for everyone. Thus, providing financial support would help to even the playing field and give all families a fair chance.
Moreover, the government should provide financial support to those opting to homeschool or offer alternative forms of private learning to encourage more parents to participate actively in their children’s education. Studies have shown that when parents are involved in their children’s education, academic outcomes improve. This is because parents can provide the support and guidance that children need to succeed (The role of government in education, 2021). Enabling more parents to get involved in their children’s education would help to improve academic outcomes for all children.
Furthermore, financial aid to all ensures that every child has access to quality education. Education is essential for a child’s development, and all children should have the opportunity to receive a good education. However, not all families can afford to pay for education, which can prevent children from getting the education they need (Federal role in education, 2021).
Finally, the government should offer assistance to all, as it would provide much-needed support to families struggling to make ends meet. Individuals who struggle to afford education often have to make sacrifices in other areas of their lives, which can hurt their families as a whole (Federal role in education, 2021). Providing monetary support would be beneficial in easing the financial burden on these families and enabling them to focus on other aspects of their lives.
Arguments Against Government Financial Assistance
Another argument against providing government support is that it is not the government’s responsibility to pay for education. Education is a personal concern, and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children are getting a good education (Federal role in education, 2021). The government should not be in the business of subsidizing education, but rather focus on creating a more conducive environment for all learners and making it possible for all parents to afford learning fees.
It would be unfair to other taxpayers if the government financially supported parents who pay twice for education. Other taxpayers would have to shoulder the burden of paying for the education of those parents who can afford to pay. Additionally, it would create a two-tiered system of education, where those who can afford to pay twice would have an advantage over those who cannot.
Moreover, this would be a burden on the government’s budget (What is the role of the Federal Government in Education, 2020). The government would need to allocate funds to cover the education costs for parents who are capable of paying twice the amount. This would take away from other essential government programs and services.
Furthermore, some parents may be able to afford to double pay for education, but others may not. Having government support and able parents would create a situation where some parents would have an advantage over others (US Department of Education (ED), 2021). Additionally, it is unclear how the government would determine which parents are eligible for financial support, which would raise issues of injustice.
The potential benefit of providing financial aid to parents who cover the cost of their children’s education on two occasions is still unclear. The government offers financial aid to alleviate the pressure on parents who cannot afford tuition fees, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, including the poor, homeless, and orphans in society. Therefore, it is possible that parents who can afford to pay twice would use the government funds to cover the education that they would have paid for anyway (Waterford, 2021). There is no guarantee that the money will be used to improve the child’s education.
Although education is a personal responsibility, its benefits extend beyond the individual level. For instance, if doctors are made, they serve society by promoting health. The world requires knowledgeable politicians, citizens, and professionals in various specialized fields to address the numerous activities within the community. Not everyone can afford to pay for education, as people with low incomes, people in need, people experiencing homelessness, orphans, and those with challenges will always be present (Nadeau et al., 2022).
Various circumstances render some people more financially able than others, enabling them to afford private learning, which can be more costly. Fairness is one aspect that the government aims to achieve, as it should strive to assist those less advantaged than those more fortunate (Waterford, 2021). Therefore, parents who are accomplishing double payments for learning should not receive government assistance.
Finding a Balanced Approach to Education Funding
However, the government can implement policies to lower the high costs of tuition fees, thereby lessening the burden of education payments on parents who must cover these expenses twice. The government can offer tax breaks or subsidies to parents who are paying for their children’s education (Nadeau et al., 2022). The government can also collaborate with colleges and universities to explore ways to reduce the overall cost of tuition. For example, the government can provide funding to colleges and universities to help them cover the costs of operations, which would then allow those institutions to lower tuition costs for students (Nadeau et al., 2022). The government can also create policies that would make it easier for students to receive financial aid. For example, the government could create a program that would meet or pardon student loans after a certain number of years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no easy answer to the question of government support for education. On the one hand, it is unfair to parents who pay twice for education, once through taxes and again through tuition. On the other hand, the absence of government support would lead to an uneven playing field and a decline in the overall quality of education. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to provide government support for education is a complex one that depends on a variety of factors. However, the government should consider the needs of all learners to make the most cost-effective and just choice regarding education funding.
References
Nadeau, S. S. M., Shepherd Director, M., Yin, J., Bedekovics, G., Spitzer, E., Rapfogel, N., & Simpson, E. (2022). A quality approach to school funding. Center for American Progress. Web.
Review education policies – education GPS. OECD. (2020). Web.
The role of government in education. EdChoice. (2021). Web.
US Department of Education (ED). (2021). Federal role in education. Home. Web.
What is the role of the Federal Government in Education? California State PTA. (2020). Web.
Why understanding equity vs. equality in schools can help you create an inclusive classroom. Waterford. (2021). Web.