There isn't a lot of lore behind this. I agree pretty much with your assessments of the setting. Eorzea has no known schools or standardized learning. Private tutors seem the most likely education "system."
In Sharlayan, an island nation in the Bloodbrine Sea, there is a school called the Studium, to which all Sharlayans attend until a certain age. These students are called the Students of Baldesion. However, Sharlayan is noted as the seat of learning in the world, placing knowledge and studies above all else. This seems very much in keeping with their city-states values that have been in place at least 1,400 years.
There's also mention of the Great Library. We don't yet know it's exact location, but its hinted that it belongs to the Near Eastern nation of Radz-at-Han in Thavnair. At the end of the Zodiac weapon quest, it's brought up that Jalzahn (a highly educated and well renowned Thavnairian scholar) was descendant from a long line of scholars of aetherial studies. This hints towards another nation that may highly regard education. This lends some credence to Fernehalwes calling places outside of Eorzea more... "progressive."
Another instance I can think of is in Gridania, the orphaned children are taken care of by Mother Miounne, but seem to receive some kind of education from Beatin, the Timbermaster. In 1.0, Fufucha, the head of the Botanist guild also took on the role as educator to the children.
In Ul'dah, the Order of Nald'thal may also play a role in "public" education, though no reference to this has been made and is merely speculation. There is a rather large library which consists of historical tomes, magical practices (not just Thaumaturgy), creation stories, occult readings, etc. The former High Priest and Guildmaster of the Order, Mumuepo was a huge collector of tomes. It was his passion. Whether this library was open to the public or not is unknown. But considering the Milvaneth Sacrarium imposes a toll on those wishing to worship Nald, the same policy may also be true over at the Ossuary. Which would likely limit all but the most affluent of Ul'dahn youth.
There's also several references to various scholars, naturalists, theologians, etc throughout fishing lore and even the Moogle quests. "The Hazy Professor" in particular addresses a few interesting things:
Then there's a few mentions in Fishing lore and some housing items text: (I'll spoiler these for length)
There's frequent mentions of symposiums, intellectual debate and gathering, etc. They must all meet, teach, study, and educate each other somewhere. These are all noted as being Eorzean naturalists. So... obviously... they're there? Just... who knows where.
Hope this helps! ^^;
In Sharlayan, an island nation in the Bloodbrine Sea, there is a school called the Studium, to which all Sharlayans attend until a certain age. These students are called the Students of Baldesion. However, Sharlayan is noted as the seat of learning in the world, placing knowledge and studies above all else. This seems very much in keeping with their city-states values that have been in place at least 1,400 years.
There's also mention of the Great Library. We don't yet know it's exact location, but its hinted that it belongs to the Near Eastern nation of Radz-at-Han in Thavnair. At the end of the Zodiac weapon quest, it's brought up that Jalzahn (a highly educated and well renowned Thavnairian scholar) was descendant from a long line of scholars of aetherial studies. This hints towards another nation that may highly regard education. This lends some credence to Fernehalwes calling places outside of Eorzea more... "progressive."
Another instance I can think of is in Gridania, the orphaned children are taken care of by Mother Miounne, but seem to receive some kind of education from Beatin, the Timbermaster. In 1.0, Fufucha, the head of the Botanist guild also took on the role as educator to the children.
In Ul'dah, the Order of Nald'thal may also play a role in "public" education, though no reference to this has been made and is merely speculation. There is a rather large library which consists of historical tomes, magical practices (not just Thaumaturgy), creation stories, occult readings, etc. The former High Priest and Guildmaster of the Order, Mumuepo was a huge collector of tomes. It was his passion. Whether this library was open to the public or not is unknown. But considering the Milvaneth Sacrarium imposes a toll on those wishing to worship Nald, the same policy may also be true over at the Ossuary. Which would likely limit all but the most affluent of Ul'dahn youth.
There's also several references to various scholars, naturalists, theologians, etc throughout fishing lore and even the Moogle quests. "The Hazy Professor" in particular addresses a few interesting things:
The Hazy Professor Wrote:The addresse this time is Professor Lamberteint, whose reputation as an aetherial researcher is soaring. Now, his three greatest pupils have some business with him, and have sent one missive apiece.
You deliver the letters, only to discover that Lamberteint has no memory of you. With barely a word of apology, he instead informs you of his symposium.
...
Lamberteint then names you an honorary member of the intellectual circle, and calls upon you all to continue studying the aether.
Then there's a few mentions in Fishing lore and some housing items text: (I'll spoiler these for length)
There's frequent mentions of symposiums, intellectual debate and gathering, etc. They must all meet, teach, study, and educate each other somewhere. These are all noted as being Eorzean naturalists. So... obviously... they're there? Just... who knows where.
Hope this helps! ^^;
