What was a primary goal of education reforms during the Industrial Revolution?

The primary goal of education reforms during the Industrial Revolution was to provide better access to education for the working class. This was a response to the rapid industrialization and urbanization that created a need for a more educated workforce. As factories and new industries emerged, the demand for skilled labor increased, prompting reforms aimed at improving educational opportunities for all, especially for children from working-class families who had previously been deprived of formal schooling.

These reforms included the establishment of public schools, which were intended to be accessible to children regardless of their socio-economic status. The movement sought to foster literacy and promote basic skills that would enable individuals to participate more effectively in the workforce and society as a whole. Access to education was seen as a means to empower the working class and improve their living conditions, contributing to social mobility and economic improvement.