Why were monks more educated than most people?

Monks were often more educated than most people during the Middle Ages because monasteries were centers of learning and scholarship. They preserved and copied ancient texts, contributing to the maintenance of knowledge during a time when literacy rates were low among the general population. Monastic schools provided education primarily for the clergy, focusing on theology, philosophy, and the classics, which further enhanced their intellectual status. Additionally, the church's influence and resources supported the education of monks, making them some of the most knowledgeable individuals of their time.