Yes indeed! The US higher education is trapped into a caste system. The playing ground is not equal to the participants, especially the learners. Discrimination in admission and even unfair rights in universities and colleges is rampant.
Education is only For Those in Higher Income Levels
Many institutions of higher learning; high schools, colleges, and universities are admitting only students who can afford them. Lower-income and minority students have no place in private and even some public institutions. Institutions are turning away capable and bright students and admitting those who can afford them without considering their level of performance. The underrepresentation of minority and poor students is increasing at a high rate in all institutions of high learning.
Racism In the US Education System
Colleges and campuses in America are promoting racism. The blacks and Latino are disadvantaged. They always favor the whites. Research has shown that blacks and Latino numbers in colleges and campuses are decreasing. A white student with poor scores attends better colleges than a black or Latino with high scores. Racism is killing the quality of education in the United States.
The few blacks and Latinos who have been admitted to those high schools, colleges, and campuses are discriminated against when it comes to the offering of services. Tutors put more energy into the whites leaving blacks and Latinos to dig much deeper. Librarians attend the white students first thus giving them an upper hand. Loans board do not consider blacks and Latinos until they are done with the whites.
Effects of the Pandemic Worsening the Situation
When the pandemic hit some high schools, colleges and campuses were closed completely. Those who are still running hiked their fees by a very high percentage. This forced the low-income students who were lucky to be in those schools to quit since they could not afford that amount of fees. Most of them are blacks, Latinos, and even Asians. This means more than 90% of the students who were left in high schools, colleges and universities are whites.
Several colleges and universities turned to distance learning. What does this mean again? Only students who are in a position to afford the tools and materials used for distance learning can proceed with the education. Again, most of the students who fall into this category are whites. Most of the blacks, Latinos, and Asians are forced to quit education. A few decide to continue with the studies privately without the guidance of the tutor. After completing the modules all students will sit for the same exams.
Conclusion
Based on the three key areas we have highlighted above, it is clear that higher education is trapped in a caste system. Low-income students have no plans to go back to their high schools, colleges, or universities even if the covid 19 pandemic ends. Economically they have nothing left in their pockets to do enrollment again or continue from where they left. However, the students who can afford are sitting waiting for the day all will be back to normal are go back comfortably to pursue their dreams.
- LIZ WILLEN (2016), Fixing a higher education “caste system’’ that screams inequality: Help us find answers. hechingerreport.org/
- Scott Galloway,(2020)The Great Dispersion.profgalloway.com