The concept refers to a landmark piece of legislation enacted in Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 17th century. This law mandated that towns establish and maintain schools, primarily to ensure children learned to read and understand scripture, thereby thwarting Satan’s efforts to keep them ignorant of religious teachings. A town with fifty or more households was required to appoint a teacher to instruct all children who wished to learn to read and write. Towns with one hundred or more families had to establish a grammar school to prepare students for university.
Its importance lies in establishing a precedent for public education in the United States. It highlights the early colonists’ commitment to literacy and education, driven by religious convictions and a desire for a knowledgeable citizenry. The law ensured the perpetuation of religious beliefs and provided a foundation for the intellectual development of future generations. It significantly contributed to the high literacy rates observed in early New England compared to other regions and countries.
