Q: It is often said that retirement is the happiest time of a person’s life.
How far do you agree with this view?
Response Written by Dr. Samra Expected band 7.5: Posted date 8-November 2019
Down the centuries, appropriate time for retirement has always remained in the heated discussion of the critics, job holders in particular, because of its universality. A sizable majority associates tenure completion with the sense of contentment and happiness. I, however, disagree to the statement as a state of depression prevails among the retired employees.
What lies behind this discontentment among the people? Social isolation and lack of interaction with the outside world is surely one explanation. Daily job routine and interaction with co-workers helps one to release stress of life and exchange of ideas which keeps mind healthy, fresh and busy; therefore, achieving excellence in every aspect of life.
Slipping away from a punctual and healthy lifestyle and feeling of staying idle, is another contributing factor. when job tenure of hardworking and high professional achievers comes to an end who have been very passionate throughout their lives, they consider their skills futile which again contributes to dissatisfaction among them.
But one force behind this has passed all but unnoticed: the financial burden over the senior citizens due to reduction in their pay in the form of pensions, is an important cause. Pension holders feel a pressure on their weak shoulders for not having extra reserves in later stages of life, thus rendering them financially insecure.
In the culmination of the above discussion, we may assert that by taking concrete measures, including encouraging social interactions and raising pensions, can help older people spend their golden time of life in the best possible way.
Q: Many people today find that the cost of attaining a university-level education is extremely high for the students and their families. What are the causes for this situation, and how can governments, universities and the students themselves overcome the problem?
Response Written by Anam Shahzadi Expected band 7: Posted date 5-November 2019
Nowadays, as a result of consistently increasing educational cost , people find it really hard to educate their children in higher education sectors. There are copious reasons behind this emerging trend; however, by taking some concrete measures this issue can be resolved to an extent.
What lies behind the increasing cost of gaining education in universities? Enlighten children with high standards of resources, such as well developed libraries and science laboratories, is surely one explanation. Lower number of universities as compared to existing number of students, particularly in developed countries, is another. But one force behind high education fees at advanced level of education has passed all but unnoticed: inadequate financial assistance from state . Theoretically, giving knowledge and then managing other basic facilities in universities is not as easy as mostly perceived. In principle, the above mentioned factors can be considered as a plausible explanation of charging high cost.
State can play its role by granting financial aid, and it can also specify a particular fund in annual budget for graduates because more they support them, more there are chances of prosperity. Similarly, institutes can also collaborate with authorities by bringing some reforms: for example, awarding scholarships and fee concessions to students, specially who belong to underprivileged background. In the same fashion, students can share their parent's financial burden by doing half-time jobs. Consequently, it will take a long time, but surely have a long lasting impact on our future generation.
In the culmination of the above discussion, higher graduation fees creates an undue burden on parents and enhance anxiety level of students. If authorities and state can work collaboratively, they bring a higher quality of education as well as help universities to get their finances on track.