I am sure all parents out there are always looking out for
the most suitable (if not the best) education program for their kids … and as the kids grow, the
cost of education increases … a lot. I want to ask … how much do you need
for your kid’s higher education? Let’s not talk about those whose kids are
offered scholarships and subsidies … let’s talk about the vast majority of
those who have to dig into their own pockets.
Someone told me just recently that I have to set aside half
a million dollars for each of my kid’s higher education. According to the
person, by the time my kids go to college or university … for a 5-year degree
program, the cost will be around one hundred thousand dollars a year … taking
in consideration the course fees, books, food, accommodation, transport and
other costs … and that is just to study at a local affiliated college or university.
And if I want to send my kids for a short stint overseas … it will probably
cost a hundred thousand more. That person said to me … “This is a must for a
good tertiary education to open doors for better careers for your kids in the
future”.
WHAT??? If that is
the case, my kids are doomed … why? I just don’t have a million dollars for
both of them … so, without that kind of money for a good higher education, are they
going to end up in the lower end of the society? If that is the case, so will a
lot of other kids whose parents too cannot afford to fork out half a million
dollars for a degree. Seriously, I want to ask … how many parents out there have
this kind of money?
No, you don’t have to spend half a million for each of your
kid’s tertiary education … doesn’t mean you don’t get a good tertiary education
if you don’t have so much money. I agree that the cost of education is high but
there are many choices … depending on what you can afford based on what you
think your kids can achieve. There are many good education institutions out
there offering good programs that cost a lot less … only that these
institutions are not those so called “well known” education organizations. But
make no mistakes … though these institutions are not the “big names”, they by
no means offered any less in terms of professionalism and quality of the
programs they provided.
Many parents, due to financial constraints or other reasons simply cannot allow higher academic education for their children … so, the next best thing
is vocational training courses. There is nothing wrong with that … and the cost
is definitely very much affordable. This doesn’t mean that their kids are going
to grow up a lesser person.
Now, if you have the money, get the best for your kids …
send them to the best international colleges or universities in UK. Canada,
Australia or USA (I would if I have the money). Definitely it will give them a
much better exposure and strong platform to obtain their tertiary education.
Really, I am happy for your kids … they are so lucky to have parents like you.
YES, I agree that studying professional fields like
medicine, dentistry or law (and maybe some that I have not heard of yet) will
cost an arm and a leg. YES, many want their children to be doctors, lawyers,
psychiatrists and the likes. But what about those who simply don’t have the big
money to spend on their children’s higher education … their children probably end
up being a baker, a tailor, a cook or a mechanic … so, are they going to be any
less respected? I DON’T THINK SO!
