Your counterpoint is made up. I’m not aware of any universities—neither free nor paid for—which offer a degree in underwater basket weaving. I assume you are creating a scarecrow to make your argument against free education more convincing. I’m not gonna grant you this, and instead—in the spirit of HN—assume you meant normal basket weaving, and respond to the strongest plausible interpretation .

For sure there are crafts programs and vocational schools which teach basket weaving, surely you must see the value in maintaining the craft of basket weaving and for there to be skilled basket weavers out there weaving quality baskets, and those interested getting into the industry of weaved basket, there should be an available avenue to learn this skill.