Whether we like it or not, we have to face the reality and try to resolve the issue. Some would argue that we need to "educate" the affected people about the value of education. Some would also argue that we need to raise the public awareness and help to alleviate the plight of these affected people. However, in my views the best possible solution shall be giving a salary to every school children in this country. And my reasons are as follows:
1. Reduce school dropout. Many students enter the employment world early for a simple, practical reason. They need the money. Some families encourage their children to do this, for the same practical reason. Even with scholarships, some families simply cannot afford to send their children to school, let alone university and beyond.
2. Grow the economy.
a. During a recession, an economy is starved for money. Salary payments to students would add growth money to the economy by providing jobs. (In this case, the job is to attend school.) Even without a recession, added jobs and added salaries help the economy grow.
b. A more educated population will be better equipped to deal with tomorrow’s more advanced economies. The 30 occupations with the largest employment declines, all involved unskilled or semi-skilled labor, with no university education required. In contrast, the majority of The 30 fastest-growing occupations, required university or advanced degrees.
c. A more educated population will be better equipped to create tomorrow’s more advanced economies. Most technological advancements come from university-educated people. Nations have suffered because of a so-called “brain drain,” meaning when the most educated people leave, the country has difficulty progressing. Clearly, there is a relationship between education and economic growth. For our country not to fall behind, we must continuously create more and better-educated people.
3. Improve our quality of life. Our country needs more doctors, nurses, scientists, chemists, architects and engineers of all types. These are the people who will care for us and who will develop the medicines and medical techniques, the medical equipment and modern hospitals to improve our lives. In essence, we are investing for our country and people future.
4. Reduce the crime level. School drop outs are inordinately involved in crime. One could argue this is not cause/effect, but rather the type of person who drops out also is the type who has criminal tendencies. We disagree it’s a matter of type. Rather, the school dropout has fewer, attractive employment opportunities, and as a result, is drawn into crime. Crime may seem the only opportunity to have money. Take those young people off the street, put them in school and pay them money, and the crime rate will decline.
Can the government afford this? The answer is yes. This is because Brunei is monetarily sovereign nation. What does that mean? It means that our government has the ability and authority to create as much or as little as Brunei Dollar she wants. Government spending is not revenue constrained and never had been and never will be.
