Why was Confucius not able to afford a formal education?

Confucius grew up in a poor family, which limited his access to formal education. In ancient China, education was often reserved for the wealthy, and resources for learning were scarce for those of lower socioeconomic status. Despite these challenges, Confucius was self-taught and sought knowledge through various means, ultimately becoming a prominent philosopher and educator. His experiences contributed to his later teachings on the importance of education and moral development for all individuals.