Why did horace mann push for funding to establish public schools?

Horace Mann advocated for public school funding to ensure that education was accessible to all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background. He believed that education was essential for a functioning democracy and a means to combat social inequality. Mann argued that public schools would provide a trained citizenry, promote moral values, and contribute to the overall progress of society. His efforts helped lay the foundation for the modern public education system in the United States.