Aztec Children Received Mandatory Education

The Mexica, founders and dominant group of the Aztec Empire, were among the first people in the world to make education mandatory for nearly all children, regardless of gender, rank, or social position. Parents taught children until around age 14 under the supervision of local calpulli authorities, after which boys and girls were expected to attend school. The telpochcalli taught practical subjects, military skills, history, religion, and trades such as agriculture and handicrafts. The calmecac, attended mainly by noble children, provided advanced instruction in writing, astronomy, statesmanship, theology, history, calendars, geometry, and poetry to prepare future rulers, priests, scholars, healers, and codex painters.

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