How did the Sumerians view education and how was it structured?

The Sumerians were among the earliest known civilizations in human history, and they placed a great emphasis on education. They viewed education as a means of achieving social mobility and improving one's social status. Education in Sumer was divided into two categories: elementary education and advanced education.

Elementary education was provided to all children, both boys and girls, and focused on basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Advanced education was limited to a small elite group of students who had already completed elementary education. This advanced education consisted of specialized training in professions such as law, medicine, and religion, as well as training for government administration.

The educational system in Sumer was organized around the temple schools, which were run by the priests. The temple schools were the primary centers of learning and provided education to both boys and girls. The schools were structured hierarchically, with students grouped according to their ability and achievement. Students who excelled in their studies were given more advanced instruction, while those who struggled were given remedial education.

Overall, education was highly valued in Sumerian society and was seen as essential for the advancement of the individual and the community as a whole.

The Sumerians were the first people to develop a system of formal education. Their schools, called edubbas, were attended by boys from wealthy families who wanted to learn how to read and write cuneiform. Education was seen as a way to improve one's social status and to prepare for a career in government or the priesthood.

The edubbas were structured in a hierarchical way, with the most experienced scribes at the top and the newest students at the bottom. Students learned by copying texts on clay tablets, memorizing them, and then reciting them aloud. They also studied mathematics, astronomy, and geography.

Education was not compulsory in Sumerian society, but it was highly valued. Those who were educated were able to secure better jobs and positions of power. Education also helped to preserve Sumerian culture and traditions.

Here are some of the key features of Sumerian education:

• It was the first formal system of education in the world.
• It was designed to train scribes, who were essential for the administration of Sumerian society.
• It was based on the memorization and recitation of texts.
• It was hierarchical, with the most experienced scribes at the top and the newest students at the bottom.
• It was not compulsory, but it was highly valued.

Sumerian education had a profound impact on the development of later civilizations. The edubbas were the forerunners of modern schools, and the scribes who were trained there helped to spread Sumerian culture and knowledge throughout the ancient world.