In early 18th century Russia, a then unknown peasant by the name of Mikhail Lomonosov began thinking of plans for his future. He grew up in poverty, living in a small village near Arkhangelsk, with little educational opportunities to think of. He was a man fueled by the desire to pursue knowledge, having been taught to read and write at a young age, spending every moment that he could reading books.

It was impossible for him to pursue his dreams in his village. At the age of 19, with the little money he had, he decided to walk over 600 miles to Moscow in a pursuit of knowledge that he so desired. In 1731, he eventually arrived and enrolled into the Slavic Greek Latin Academy by falsely claiming to be the son of a nobleman. He later went on to become one of the most important scientists and polymaths of the century, contributing greatly to a variety of fields.

With all of the technology and connectivity we have today, how is this story relevant to modern high school students? Throughout modern history, education became one of the new battlefields for corporate monopolization and profit, with students being expected to pay hundreds of dollars for AP, IB, ACT and countless other tests throughout their path through their secondary education. This poses a moral dilemma on whether or not it is just to put that expectation upon students.

For some, paying unreasonable prices for exams is an impossible feat. Even with a fee reduction that lowers the price of AP tests to $55, it’s still difficult to pay for 37.9 million Americans that live below the poverty line. Money shouldn’t be a barrier for students, everyone deserves a right to pursue their education regardless of their financial situation. 

In addition to unreasonably high exam prices, students are faced with major roadblocks on their journey to study for these exams. Companies like Quizlet have recently begun adapting a new business model that focuses more on profit rather than achieving their mission of helping students prepare for exams. These new ‘for profit’ business models harm students with financial difficulties, in a way, hampering their educational journey. However, there are some companies that still follow a ‘not for profit’ business model, such as Khan Academy, offering students access to monumental amounts of information for free. 

With the rise of globalization and the internet, many hoped that access to education would become easier, more equitable and affordable. While efforts have been made in providing open access to knowledge, such as through platforms such as Khan Academy, the commercialization of education still disproportionately affects students from underprivileged backgrounds. These students often find themselves at a disadvantage, unable to afford the same tools, resources, and opportunities as wealthier students.

The story of Mikhail Lomonosov still greatly resonates with modern society. In a way, we still are at a similar disadvantage in access to education as Mikhail Lomonosov was, but this time, instead of being separated by 600 miles, we are separated by unreachable paywalls and restrictions posed by monopolistic corporations in an effort to make as much profit as possible from students. Education must be seen as a universal right – a means to empower individuals and societies rather than as a commodity accessible to the ones who are able to pay.

Governments, educational institutions and corporations must work together to dismantle these barriers. Reducing the cost of standardized tests, ensuring free or affordable access to study materials and providing support initiatives are important steps in achieving total educational equity. Education is the foundation of modern society and a bridge that connects the world. Whether a person’s educational goals are attending university, going to graduate school or simply finishing high school, all efforts should be made in order to make access to them easier and accessible. 

As students and educators, we should strive to honor the legacy of people such as Lomonosov, ensuring that no student is left behind due to situations out of their control. Only then, can we truly say that we’ve built an educational system that reflects the basic principles of equity, inclusion and opportunity.