Students from rural areas often find it difficult to access university education. Some
people think that universities should make higher education easier for them to access.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The financial cost of education is creating a huge barrier for many rural families.
People who focus on declining rural access to tertiary education argue that rural
students should receive an easier opportunity to attend universities. Although this
suggestion may help them get rid of poverty by receiving higher education, I believe
that it is unfair for other students and other better methods can be implemented to
solve this problem.

Most rural students are from less well-off backgrounds, and their families are less
likely to invest much money for their education. So students from deprived
communities cannot perform well in university entrance exams, compared to students
in urban areas. If universities can make these exams easier for those disadvantaged
students, they can thus have an opportunity to pursue a degree, then find employment
and break the circle of poverty in the future.

On the other hand, this change violates the principle of educational equality. It is clear
that great efforts have been made by urban students in their studies, they will never
agree to let others pass the exam easily. It is not difficult to imagine that students from
well-off backgrouds would try their best to find a way to take part in college entrance
exams in rural areas, if this policy conducted.

In fact, the other methods such as strengthening countryside’s elementary education
and providing abundant educational resources for rural students can be taken into
account in relation to improve college-going rates. Governments can also provide
funds for students who are eager to learn and have performed well in martriculation
exams. Financial support can come in various forms, such as scholarship, free-interest
loans. With the help from governments, disadvantaged students can have equal access
to education as well.

In conclusion, universities should not treat students from the countryside differently,
some alternative methods can be explored for educational improvement in rural areas.