We all learnt about equality, the right to education and policies that strived to bring education to everyone possible.
However the scene in higher education is very debatable. Referring to admission via donation, exorbitant fees for premium quality education and facilities and the focus of this article, the SAT.
For those who are unaware, the SAT is a standardized exam taken in the USA as an entrance test for admission into universities.
While colleges claim that it isn't the only aspect of the application that is considered, a good SAT score can make or break a decision.
In India, we all are in a rat race for government funded schools that have subsidies and fees where you can count the zeros in one hand with your fingers. The moment children enter 9th grade, they are prepped or packed off to excellence programs that beat knowledge into them with methodical and repetitive techniques. While questioning the validity and the ethics of these institutions is outside the scope of this article, I will be focusing on how these institutes have managed to almost nullify every action made to level the playing field.
Quite simply and shortly put, these institutes milk the pockets dry and hand out very little scholarships or aid when compared to their overall income. So people with a little extra money to spend (more than a little) have this rigorous program to help them fly in the rat races.
The next hurdle a common man with an average income has to jump is to deposit a "donation" to the college so that the college can add to its layers of fat.
Above that, add the college fees, livin expenses and the uncertainity of having a job.
If talking about overseas, United States in particular- the SAT is a huge part of the process of applying. They claim to be a non profit organisation. SAT and ACT are a duopoly in the US. They offer fee waivers etc. but one aspect that struck me as unjust was the ability to retake a test.
The fee for each test is very high from an average income point of view. If person A can only afford one test, and person B can afford more than one, they inevitably bought the ability to have access to higher education via better and improved score. Something not available for everyone.
To what extent will we let the education sector become a business for mega companies? How much more should the common people endure and tolerate to just get access to good education? How much longer will we support a system that helps the rich become richer and the poorer become poorer from the start itself?
