UNAIR NEWS – The idea of making college tuition free in state higher education institutions resurfaced in late September. Reportedly, the proposal has entered the discussion phase.
A professor of Education Sociology from Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Prof Dr Tuti Budirahayu Dra MSi, also weighed in this discussion. According to her, free college tuition does not automatically eliminate inequality, yet it can serve as a tool for promoting educational equity.
Does not automatically eliminate inequality
Prof Budirahayu stated that the public needs to be critical while appreciating the idea of free college tuition. According to her, the value of this idea lies not in the fact that college tuition is free, but in its role as a tool to promote equal access to education in Indonesia.
Prof Budirahayu continued that this idea could serve as a tool for promoting educational equity. “The idea of making college tuition free could serve as a tool for equity that reaches the segments of society that have historically had the least access to higher education such as low-income groups, who often face difficulties in accessing higher education,” she said.
Although this idea is worth appreciating, Prof Budirahayu emphasized that making college tuition free does not automatically eliminate inequality. According to her, the public needs to ask whether this policy is truly capable of supporting the educational and personal development needs of all students from various social classes.
“As might be expected, students with greater financial status will benefit more from this policy. Conversely, for students from low-income families, their situation may remain the same. In other words, free college tuition cannot solve the problem of educational inequality,” she emphasized.
Prof Budirahayu continued to reflect on the policy of free education from elementary through high school, the policy of free tuition fee is not actually entirely free. “If higher education were free, it wouldn’t truly exempt students from paying tuition fees. This is because the operational costs of higher education vary widely, depending on various factors such as the number of students and the cost of living,” she continued.
Alternative solutions
Prof Budirahayu offered three alternative solutions if this program is actually implemented. These solutions are: ensuring equitable access to primary through secondary education, expanding scholarship programs, and implementing policies that prioritize equality and fairness.
Prof Budirahayu believes that the government should allocate funds for free tuition to improve, reform, and enhance the quality of education from primary, secondary, and higher education levels. These things are aimed primarily at addressing the problem of educational equity.
Prof Budirahayu also suggested the government expand scholarship and public funding programs for students from low-income families or students facing difficult circumstances. Hopefully, funds for free tuition can be distributed more equally.
Prof Budirahayu said that free college tuition must be supported by policies that ensure fairness and equity. “Equity ensures equal educational rights for all students, while fairness provides support tailored to individual needs so that disadvantaged students can achieve the same level of academic excellence as their peers,” she concluded.
Author: Damar Pratama
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
