op-ed - university or community college.

Yesterday a NP op-ed questioned the need for all Canadians to have a higher education and suggested that trade schools or community colleges were the better option for many Canadians. Universal education dates from the Roman empire. But our society has changed greatly in the last 50 years to an information based system. Perhaps we should look at the ultimate reason for education. Labourers need to be literate, to be able to understand their own finances, and to know enough of Canadian history and values to vote. Trades people need the above plus more mathematics, and technical knowledge. Professionals need the above plus training in their profession. In addition top scholars should not be limited in their education by lack of funding. It is not simply a question of choosing an university or trade school as Bill Morrison suggests, but of directing our schools towards producing people with the skills necessary to earn a living and be worthwhile members of our society.