When you think of a typical student, a retired 65-year-old is not the first image that springs to mind. Yet, following a report outlining the necessity of an educated older workforce, Education Minister David Willets is trying to persuade more over 60s to attend universities, thus raising the question: should we be encouraging the experienced and aged minds of society to take the places at our universities normally reserved for school leavers? Some will argue that the university system should serve to train and educate young, prospective professionals in our society, and that making valuable resources available to the elder members of our population would simply be a waste.
However, it is time to return to the old clichéd adage; age is but a number. In the case of attending university, age should be irrelevant. Everyone is entitled to receive a thorough education, and if a 65 year old has the qualifications to enter one of our high quality institutions, then they are just as worthy of the treasured place as a ‘typical’ student. Age should not be a decisive factor when it comes to university application, and everyone must have the same opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our current education system.
Nowadays we take higher education for granted, with the majority of intelligent youngsters receiving the opportunity to realise their potential by attending one of the many fine institutions in the United Kingdom. We forget that only 50 years ago, the young did not enjoy such academic luxuries, and university education was a privilege reserved for the minority rather than the majority. After years of hard-earned progress, it is only fair that older generations have the same opportunities we enjoy when it comes to higher education, regardless of whether they choose to take them.
Many of us view the completion of a degree as a chore, and a ‘means to an end’ ritual in obtaining a qualification; but it does not have to be a ceremonial inconvenience. Completing a degree can be a way of enriching one’s knowledge of an area one feels passionate about, developing new and desired skills and focusing the mind in an academic discipline. 50 years ago people may not have had the opportunity for such self-improvement in their youth, but that does not mean that they should be dissuaded from partaking in higher education in 2013. Instead, the older members of our community should be encouraged to make the most of university courses if that is what they desire, rather than wiling their days away watching ITV 1.
Certainly, in an increasingly competitive job market, it is becoming more and more important to possess the necessary academic qualifications, and by partaking in university study, over 50s are boosting their future prospects of attaining the desired employment. You may not see these over 50s spending their nights partying in clubs and enjoying the normal exorbitances of the student lifestyle. Indeed, it may seem downright weird if someone old enough to be your grandparent sits down next to you in a lecture, but spare them a thought; they have just as much of a right to attend university as you and I.