Education and Health: Are We Trading Quality for Profit?

 - Arjayita, XII

The global push for privatizing health and education is a hot topic, praised by some for making things more efficient and innovative, and easing the burden on government. Supporters argue that private companies, driven by competition and profit, can offer better services, shorter wait times, and a wider range of specialized options. They also say it attracts investments and gives people more choices. However, this trend has some serious downsides, especially when it comes to fairness and making sure everyone can access these vital services. Critics worry it creates a two-tier system where good healthcare and education become unaffordable for many, making existing social and economic gaps even wider.

My family's tough experience with private healthcare really shows these dangers. When my grandfather finally left a fancy private hospital, the bill was outrageous. It included many unnecessary charges and even expensive medicines he didn't need. It's clear that many big private hospitals, focused on making money, often ignore what patients truly need. They're known for pushing for unneeded surgeries, prescribing pricey brand-name medicines from companies that sponsor them, and even holding patients longer than necessary just to squeeze more money out of worried families. This kind of behavior, turning someone's vulnerable moment into a chance for financial gain, really breaks the trust that healthcare should be built on.

Beyond healthcare, my personal experiences with private education highlight similar issues. The very places meant to help us grow often give us a harsh, early lesson in how unfair capitalism can be. It's bizarre, for example, to be forced to buy school-branded notebooks, uniforms, other essentials often at higher prices, or risk being humiliated and discriminated from the basic need of education. This clearly shows how business interests can take over teaching. The fairness of teachers also becomes questionable when a few students get special treatment because they pay for extra private lessons from that same teacher. This blurry line between doing their job and making personal money can really mess up learning and destroy trust. It's also disheartening that schools often favor students whose families donate a lot of money, ignoring truly deserving students who don't have the same financial means. This not only wastes talent but also teaches a cynical view of success. The idea that "school is your second home" can feel empty when, after you leave, that warmth disappears. This sudden change often feels strange, but when you think about it, the reason is clear: without ongoing tuition payments, the school has no reason to "entertain" former students, revealing the purely business side of many private schools.

Ultimately, while private involvement can certainly boost capacity and introduce new ideas in both health and education, we need a strong balance, strict ethical rules, and tough oversight. This oversight is crucial to ensure that these fundamental societal pillars remain universally accessible, equitable, and genuinely committed to human development, rather than merely serving as profitable enterprises for a select few. The experiences of countless families, including my own, are a stark reminder that when money comes before people, the consequences aren't just about economics; they're deeply personal and truly damage society.