The Yields of Education by Joshua

The Yields of Education by Joshua - January 2021 Scholarship Essay

What aspect of society do you believe yields the most benefits to a country and its citizens? My answer: education. Although many children might groan at even the word “school”, education provides various benefits to everyone who takes it seriously. Therefore, education does not need to be earned, for it is a right. Now, throughout this essay, I will discuss education at the K-12 level as a right, since free tuition for public college is an ongoing debate that deserves a paper of its own. By making education a right, adolescents do not have an excuse to live prosperous lives and develop crucial life skills.

To start, completing one’s school statistically increases the quality of life for an individual. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that high school graduates, on average, make $8,496 more than high school dropouts. Although attaining a college degree provides the best pathway to living wealthier lives, the data shows that even a high school diploma potentially increases the quality of life for individuals. And the same high school diploma creates job opportunities for graduates. For example, power plant operators require a high school diploma (along with some additional training) and on average make $71,262 yearly, according to PayScale.

In addition to providing job opportunities and increased income, education develops students’ critical thinking, social skills, and discipline. Throughout middle school and high school, critical thinking is a must to succeed in class. Whether that be for projects, essays, exams, etc., education enforces critical thinking almost daily, which translates outside of the classroom. Additionally, peer to peer interaction is inevitable (even with homeschooled students). So, by enforcing social interactions, students can develop their speaking and social skills, which benefits them in the future. Finally, education improves one’s discipline, assuming he/she take education seriously. I found my discipline improving when I stayed up at night working on an assignment, putting aside entertainment to study, and asking questions I thought were “simple” or “dumb”. The work and time put into studying and accomplishing assignments transfers over to the real world, life, and personal goals.

All in all, making education a right allows adolescents to become prosperous and develop important life skills. For one, even high school diplomas statistically increase income and job opportunities. Also, the school helps students develop social skills, critical thinking, and discipline. These benefits are reasons why education as a right will yield benefits to a country and its citizens.