One thing I've never understood about this position--why is university such a stark cutoff? Most everyone agrees students shouldn't have to pay for their books in K-12. We agree it's better for our society if primary and second education is not gated by a family's wealth. Not just ethnically, I think it's better for a nation's economic productivity. The whole world is getting more educated, and it does feel like a bachelors or equivalent training is what a high school diploma was 60 years ago.
jail cells? I hope you are merely waxing hyberbolic!!
If I was French or Italian, I'd be extremely offended at that implication that kids are being taught that crime is an acceptable societal and moral choice, especially just because one might not receive a government bribe because they don't meet an arbitrary age requirement.
Obviously paying for textbooks is not the breaking point, but it's a similar mentality (that society should not be responsible for its kids) that leads kids to crime when they have no marketable skills that can be used to get a job.
I disagree even with the use within the rules.
I don't think society should pay for students' university books.