What was an essential factor for the development of early education in Sumer?

The development of early education in Sumer was heavily influenced by the establishment of writing systems. The Sumerians are credited with creating one of the first known forms of writing called cuneiform, which emerged around 3200 BCE. This writing system was essential for record-keeping, administration, and the transmission of knowledge. Schools, known as edubbas, were created to teach young Sumerians not only how to read and write but also to prepare them for various roles in society, such as officials, scribes, and priests. The emphasis on literacy and the ability to accurately document transactions and events facilitated the growth of Sumer as a complex civilization. Education, therefore, became a cornerstone for social organization and cultural development in early Sumer, heavily tied to the existence and use of their writing systems.