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continued from p.20 technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM sectors) noting that there is a direct correlation between tuition costs and expected salaries upon graduation. Unfortunately, fee-inflation for these high-tuition programs is increasing the fastest, leaving students with a far greater debt load. No young adult with the motivation to continue their schooling should be blocked from achieving their goal because of financial concerns. However, funding a post-secondary education is an issue for many. An easy response would be to have students' parents pick up the costs. This is not always feasible and currently parents' contribution only amount to 25 per cent of the cost of a post-secondary education. Educational funding comes from other sources including: 31 per cent from student jobs, 20 per cent from government loans, and 14 per cent from scholarships, grants, and bursaries. Registered Educational Savings Plans (RESPs) were put in place to encourage parents to save for Education a cornerstone of society and foundation of economic success their children's post-secondary education. A government grant and tax incentive were meant to be the motivation. Unfortunately, many families do not contribute to a RESP . Co-op programs have become popular; where students have a certain number of work terms included in their academic program. Apart from being financially helpful, they offer an excellent combination of schooling and practical work experience which, in my opinion, greatly enhances the learning experience. Career guidance should be offered in high school starting in Grade 9. Graduating with a wonderful degree that has no practical use should be explained, and understood, before students leave high school. Politicians would be encouraged to have a conversation with Canadians about the role the government should play in financing post-secondary education. It is socially responsible as well as fiscally shrewd. Other countries have realized this. There are a number of European Union (EU) countries that offer free college to their residents, including Germany, France, and Sweden. In the U.S. tuition-free colleges are gaining ground in many states that believe college educated students create a strong workforce. In Canada, a strategy to invest in four more years of free education could see the government collecting added tax revenues for decades to come from a more educated workforce with higher incomes. This is a winning strategy. Education is a cornerstone of our society and one of the principal foundations of economic success. An increased investment in education will help us all. -- submitted by Peter Watson, of Peter Watson Investments. MBA, CFP®, R.F .P ., CIM, FCSI 23 | Thursday September 7, 2017 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insidehalton.com Compost Giveaway Halton residents are invited to attend this year's Fall Compost Giveaway as a thankyou for helping divert approximately 27,000 tonnes of yard waste last year. During the event, Halton residents can take up to the equivalent of 7 bags of compost per household, free of charge. 401 REGIONAL RD 25 TREMAINE RD Saturday, September 16 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Halton Waste Management Site 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton Remember to bring: · Your own bags or containers (maximum 7 bags or equivalent per household) and a shovel to bag your compost; and · A non-perishable food item or cash donation to be distributed to Halton-area food banks ­ your donations make a difference! BRITANNIA RD Maintenant ouvert. Nous sommes résolus à vous servir. Le centre ServiceOntario situé à : HWMS Lower Base Line 5400 Regional Rd 25 407 QEW 760, chemin Pacific, Unité 29 Oakville offre maintenant les services de permis de conduire et d'immatriculation, de carte Santé et de carte-photo de l'Ontario. Helpful Hint: When applying compost to your garden, ensure to blend it with topsoil or another gardening fill. For best results, apply 60 per cent topsoil and 40 per cent compost. For more information, visit halton.ca/compost or call 311. Heures d'ouverture Making high quality compost When cleaning your yard, ensure only the right items make it into your paper yard waste bag or container. The final compost material will be a better product by following these tips to keep our compost clean: Lundi, mardi, mercredi, vendredi, de 9 h à 17 h Jeudi, de 9 h à 19 h Samedi, de 9 h à 13 h Plus de 40 services en ligne. ServiceOntario offre plus de 40 services en ligne, dont le renouvellement du permis de conduire et de la vignette d'immatriculation, le changement d'adresse et plus encore. Pour la liste complète des services offerts, consultez ServiceOntario.ca. Do not put yard waste in plastic bags. Place plastic soil bags in the garbage. Visit halton.ca/meetings for full schedule. Remove yard waste from plastic plant pots. Place empty pots in the Blue Box. Check yard waste for items such as kids and pet toys. Meetings at Halton Region, 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, L6M 3L1 No Regional Council or Standing Commitee meetings in August. Annonce payée par le gouvernement de l'Ontario Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. 070917 310817