There are reasons for modern schooling, but putting thse aside, what is...

[Querious]

...the purpose of education ideally? I'm reading John Taylor Gatto, now, on the history of schooling in America. And am aware of many of the stated and unstated purposes for its existence as it is. And I know about the Rockefeller and Carnegie institute's influence on it.
Putting that aside, however, I would like to hear some mature views about what the real purpose of education, as opposed to school, ideally is.

[weasle woman]

I agree with what you have written here. The purpose of mass education I'm told is to make sure every one is like another, not a trouble maker and will be ready to enter society when they leave school. Know what they want us to know and do what they want us to do and buy what they want us to buy etc...