If you take away the Student Loans this Place would be empty!

I would like to see all education on history free to the student as part of the war on ignorance.

Learning history and its context is the most important thing to any forward looking informed and democratic society. From the understanding and awareness of history flows ideas, entrepreneurial ideas, innovation, awareness of the world around us with its opportunities and threats, and most importantly learning history develops understanding to civic responsibilities and the dangers of past failed policies by government.

I think if education on history was free it would be a stimulus for the post secondary education system and provide the best value for educational dollars that could be spent in a democracy. If it was to start in a place like PG I have no doubt we would be the future innovative and economic, as well as cultural leaders in the generations to come.

That said I think people should still be required to pay for their occupational related education. History would be the one exception where I think it is in societies best interest to create a situation where learning is free as part of the war on ignorance.

This policy would make post secondary institutions relevant to all in society and provide a public service that is enjoyable and at the same time providing huge benefits to the public as a whole.

History lessons are already free, eagle as well you know (judging from the book list you posted a while ago). I would like to see kids get more history in high school but ultimately it is up to the individual to acheive actual learning.
I think most people entering post secondary schools do so in order to further their careers. Those you choose othwise are still rewarded with qualifications. Without qualifications, certificates, etc school is not much different than self learning.
I do not share you optimism regarding the results of people learning a lot of history. Just because people know the past it doesnt mean they will learn from it. I think that people always assume their case is different. How else could you explain people complaining about ho hard it is to make it these days when their parents or grandparents had to work so much harder to get so much less?

Learning how to write a history paper is a good a leason in English and documentation and the process of learning as anything else out there. I think it is a great measuring stick of a persons ability to learn and a great way to introduce people to the post secondary experience while providing a public good service that helps society in many ways that can not be easily measured.

If a student can be forced to pay 50% of his education costs in shared programs to subsidize bus riders, and student groups, then why not history lessons subsidized by the greater society for the benefit of society? Why does socialism in the education system apply to my ability to afford an education, but it can not apply to the goal of shared learning that benefits society through a knowledge of the past?

If done in large lecture halls, like UNBC, the cost per student is drastically reduced and it would be a great opportunity for people in the community of all ages to network while learning (I among many others pay huge taxes nearly $1000 bi-weekly, so why can't some of this go towards general use of the public of our post secondary institutions). I would argue these classes could even be short courses on specific subject relevant to todays challenges such as political, civic, union organizing, environmental, epidemiological, as well as the typical war, civil unrest and the unraveling of nations. All subjects that cross the boundaries between specific trades and careers and can benefit above all the knowledge of voters (who pay for these institutions) come election time in the area of general knowledge relevant to the informed voter.

Really the only reason why we would not do this is to benefit corrupt politicians and political parties with an ignorant populace as to the ways in which their industry of rhetoric operates.

I agree that much more needs to be done in the high school and even elementary school systems, but those people don't vote and so its much more important to have this kind of education available to those that do vote. Besides a child does not see the relevance in learning history, where as an adult does and will eagerly learn if given the chance.