Worldwide, compulsory education originated from Protestant countries in the European Reformation in the16th century. These countries regard education as an important means to win over young people, promote new sects and resist the old religious forces, and force children to go to school to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and religious knowledge, so compulsory education rises.

The earliest compulsory education law in the world is the School Law promulgated by the German Weimar Principality in 16 19. Parents are required to send their children aged 6- 12 to school, otherwise the government will enforce its obligations. Although the purpose of this law is to educate people, it is the beginning of compulsory education.