The role of education reform during the Enlightenment period was significant as it sought to promote reason and critical thinking among individuals. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for educational reforms that emphasized the development of rational thought and the individual’s potential. This period saw the establishment of new educational institutions and curricula aimed at teaching science, philosophy, and humanities, moving away from purely religious instruction. Education reformers believed that an educated populace was essential for a functioning democracy and that knowledge could uplift society, ultimately contributing to greater social progress and enlightenment.