Yes, they did, but there was no “forced” schooling and all teachers weren’t government “certified” (brainwashed).
Most of the teachers had Christian Ethics—which meant they pushed the children to be virtuous and moral (purpose of education/Founders/Aristotle). And they taught basics—Rhetoric, English, Grammar, Arithmetic, History and Classics. Kids were NOT brainwashed—they were given the tools to educate themselves and be independent (of professors indoctrination and sexuality).
The neat thing was if children were humiliated or didn’t like the teacher—they just never came back again-—or like my grandfather—set his school on fire.
If the teachers were horrible the parents ran them out of the town. There was no “union” protecting their evil behavior and they ALWAYS SUFFERED THE CONSEQUENCES of their ugly behavior. Bad teachers didn’t last.
I want to make all teachers into independent contractors.