By Nuren Nawar
The topic of the relationship between economic class and quality of education is one that is not heavily discussed. However, this topic is especially significant when considering the fact that individuals who come from lower-income backgrounds have a more difficult time pursuing higher education, along with even attaining a decent quality of education to begin with for a variety of factors. Furthermore, the inability to attain higher education and better quality of education by these groups of people not only contributes heavily to their ability to end generational poverty cycles present throughout their family; but this also decreases diversity within significant fields and positions of power within society. The relationship between economic class and quality of education, and essentially quality of life, almost always supports capitalistic ideas of a cycle making those who are wealthy wealthier and preventing lower-income families from even attempting to make it to the top. This cycle has almost always existed in society. Generally, lower-income individuals lack proper access to certain opportunities and facilities to help them thrive throughout their educational career from a very early age. Other situational factors, along with the fact that an intense amount of stress and pressure is put on these lower-income students, also contribute to their lack of ability to attain proper education throughout their life. Furthermore, economic class and race play hand in hand throughout society due to the fact that students of colour, particularly Black students, are over represented in the population of low-income students. Students of colour already face intense systemic discrimination in education. However, when combined with the fact that these students are also lower-income, it is clear that when they are even considered, they have to be extraordinary to even be considered on the same level as wealthy students by admissions officers, professors, teachers, and other education personnel. The lack of lower-income students of colour in higher education institutes a lack of diversity in various industries, along with positions of power. Often, lower-income students are forced to pursue jobs with lower wages, and are therefore not able to stop the cycle of poverty within their family. The issue surrounding education inequality among low income students is systemic and exacerbated by various governments. Finally, all three authors stress the importance of systemic changes that need to be made to cater to lower-income students to ensure the opportunities they get throughout their life are the same as those of wealthier students. Whether this be in the form of increased financial aid in higher education, improved welfare systems, improved facilities, etc.
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