Why couldn't there be personal Educational debt just as there is personal Financial debt?

[Boojatta]

It seems odd to me that people are obligated to study various subjects while they are under 18 years of age. If an adult were to study, for the first time, grade 9 civics, or grade 10 history, then is there reason to believe, based on currently accepted dogma of developmental psychology, that a critical stage would have passed and it would be impossible for the person to gain anything from such an attempt to learn?

One would think that if people are obligated to study, then they would have the option of putting off some studies until later. After all, people can use financial instruments known as "credit" or "loans" to obtain goods (such as textbooks) and services (such as formal education beyond the high school level). The terms of a loan or credit card may specify such things as the schedule of payments. Similarly, in putting off study of a given subject area, one could agree to study that subject area later.

Now I display my ignorance by asking a simple factual question that requires no political judgment:

If you graduate from high school before reaching age 18, and you are admitted to some educational institution for studies beyond the high school level, and are scheduled to begin those more advanced studies before reaching age 18, then does somebody other than you have to pay? Do you make no legally enforceable agreement to pay back the cost of those studies that are beyond the high school level?

[Boojatta]

1. Kick