That's... valid. Secondary education is not free, but there's a reason for that. The Imperial Military Academy teaches a variety of careers, but some of them have occupational hazards and they do require a five year term of service. In exchange the state heavily subsidizes their education to the point where it isn't just free, but they are actually earning money from it.
The impetus behind it is to direct draw the poor but talented into our hungry military machine, in exchange the State looks out for them.
And the university isn't ruinously expensive, as posited by the fact that a thrifty but somewhat wealthy share cropper slash lifestock herder can afford to put together the gold and silver to send his niece there.
Of course the guy is wealthy by farmer standards so that's basically his life's savings. Anyone else who has the inclination to get secondary education can easily afford that amount.
I don't think it needs to be said, but the Djinn took a look during an economic council and has heavily encouraged non-predatory loans to people in that lower-income bracket range who can afford to pay a loan off in the first place and actually have cause to take one, which the Shaitan largely agreed with, and the Braavosi thirded based on the fact that you don't shoot the goose that lays golden eggs.
