> An ill-educated populace is easier to manipulate, gravitate towards consumerism, and won't hold their leaders as accountable.

This is a reactionary take.

Math, science, and basic language skills do not lead to political upheaval, and are incredibly valuable skills to the capital class. Leadership would be more apt to propagandize social studies and suppress dissent.

China easily comes to mind as a counter argument.

I'd apply Hanlon's razor: education languishes due to poor funding, lack of competition, and low salaries that attract mediocre teachers. We don't even properly fund development for blue collar jobs! Also the problem compounds since one generations students become the next generations teachers.