Chapter 1822 - 27. Long Live the Emperor! (Part 10)

Weimar Germany (modern-day Germany following the 1870 Franco-Prussian War) was the first to implement universal compulsory education. At that time, an educational decree was announced mandating parents to enroll their children aged 6 to 12 in school, otherwise, the government would force them to fulfill this duty. The epoch-making educational decree was proposed by the renowned religious reformer, Martin Luther. His intention was to enable the general public to read and write, allowing them to read the Bible and better preach his Protestant doctrine. After the Industrial Revolution, in order to cultivate more qualified industrial workers and enhance industrial capacity and national power, various countries began to promote compulsory education. In the progress of human civilization, compulsory education has played an indispensable role.