Final answer:
The Puritans valued education highly, not only for men but for women as well, predominantly to enable them to understand religious texts. Educational establishments like Harvard and local schools were set up early in Puritan communities to provide this education, although the curriculum for women was usually more focused on religious knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Puritans had a strong belief in education for both men and women, although it was mainly focused on ensuring that individuals could read the Bible, understand it, and explain the religion's tenets for church membership. Their educational system was established early on in the colonies, as evidenced by the founding of Harvard University in 1636 and the passing of the Old Deluder Satan Law in 1647, which mandated that towns with a certain population provide schools where children could learn to read and write, as well as study the Bible. However, it's worth noting that while education was emphasized for all, the focus for females was often on maintaining religious knowledge more than on the broader intellectual development that was stressed for males.