（4）The Fundamental Characteristics of the Education System Order

To create a national egalitarian educational system, a university, a middle school and an elementary school respectively were to be set up as the basic institution in each of the large, medium and small school districts (whose respective names were the university district, the middle school district and the elementary school district). Although this ambitious modern plan for school systematization fell short of full realization due to the situation of the country at that time, the basic design was there and the authorities knowing this target could hope to succeed in the future.

Concerning the idea of equal education, whereas the samurai and commoners had gone to different schools during the Edo period the Education System Order indicated all people should attend the same elementary schools. In fact for some time they tended to go to different schools, but as the educational level of the new public schools improved both groups began to attend together. Thus the Education System Order through modernizing the schools promoted social equality, and it is especially for this contribution that it is remembered.