Episode 5: Reflection food fight

I am very cautious in talking about this topic, which is linked to the previous podcast. Every student who listened to the podcast for this class is attending KMLA, a school called as "aristocrat school." It would be a contradictory attitude for a student in a school with about 20 million won as a school expense to say that they understand the situation of Carlos. I, personally think that one does not deserve to talk about it as it is so easy for one to make generalization. Even though I try to empathize with Carlos's situation, I know that I won't be able to wholly understand it and if Carlos were to read my writing I would be embarrassed. In short, through out this writing I will try to be careful and I would like the readers for this writing to also know that.

In this point, there is no meaning in discussing whether the college should prioritize the right of education or better school facility any more. Because when one asks the same question to schools like Bowdoin and KMLA will answer that they are prioritizing education right and applying that to their systems. It might not seem like that in out point of view, however they will emphasize the fact that they do give out scholarship and FAs (in such small ratios) and will state that they are ensuring education rights. There is no lie behind this statement. Its just that there isn't the whole truth.  

On top of that, Bowdoin or other colleges that think of facilities as important as education right, argue that the government has no right to interfere on how much the college should use for FAs out of their finance. They also argue that the duty of the college as an education organization ends here. However, I disagree. It is important to provide good education environment to those who are in the school but in the case where they can spend money on the facilities than they should spend more money on providing equal educational rights, and if they don't I believe that it is the government's responsibility to interfere. I think this is not different from the government changing the guidelines for applicants. Even though this might be hard to be applied in private schools, it gives more the reason for the government to take a strong and consistent stance.

Along with these policies, the government should not be neglectful on making students to get to the college and support them on real life. Because, even when the student gets in the school there are often isolated because of different life styles. For example, according to teachers in KMLA, students who get into KMLA by scholarship often drop out of school not being able to overcome the feeling of loss.

It is not only the responsibility of the government and colleges, but individuals, especially privileged individuals share the responsibility. One must recognize that one day when one gets into the society return a big part of their asset. If these thoughts accumulate, it will be easier for the governments to make policies and enable many low income but talented kids to go to colleges that they wish to and they deserve to like any other people in the society.