<P> International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights requires, within a reasonable number of years, the principle of compulsory education free of charge for all . </P> <P> Compulsory education was not unheard of in ancient times . However instances are generally tied to royal, religious or military organization--substantially different from modern notions of compulsory education . </P> <P> Plato's The Republic (c. 424--c. 348 BCE) is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought . Plato's rationale was straightforward . The ideal city would require ideal individuals, and ideal individuals would require an ideal education . Popularization of Plato's ideas began with the wider Renaissance and the translation of Plato's works by Marsilio Ficino (1433--1499), culminating in the Enlightenment . The Enlightenment philosopher Jean - Jacques Rousseau, known for his own work on education, Emile, or On Education had said To get a good idea of public education, read Plato's Republic . It is not a political treatise, as those who merely judge books by their title think, but it is the finest, most beautiful work on education ever written . </P> <P> In Sparta boys between the age 6 and 7 left their homes and were sent to military school . School courses were harsh and have been described as a "brutal training period". Between the age of 18 and 20, Spartan males had to pass a test that consisted of fitness, military ability, and leadership skills . A student's failure meant a forfeiture of citizenship (perioidos) and political rights . Passing was a rite of passage to manhood and citizenry, in which he would continue to serve in the military and train as a soldier until the age of 60, when the soldier could retire to live with his family . </P>

In the late 19th century europe and the united states advocated free and compulsory education for