Definitely a left wing solution of the time. Educating the 'ignorant' with 'correct' values forced by the power of the state, just like they do today. This is the cycle of leftism: leftists gain power, force their solutions on others through the law, only to be condemned as 'righties' by the next generation of lefties. I see this in the humanities in college all the time. Proudly progressive professors display their leftism by hiring the next generation of extreme lefties. Upon being hired, the newbies dismiss those who hired them as the regressive establishment. And the seniors are actually surprised.