Several factors contributed to this underfunding:
* Racial segregation and discrimination: The overriding priority was to maintain white supremacy and establish a racially stratified system. Resources were disproportionately allocated to white schools, leaving Black schools drastically underfunded, overcrowded, and often with poorly trained teachers. This wasn't simply a matter of unequal distribution; the very concept of equitable public education for Black children was actively resisted.
* Limited tax base and fiscal conservatism: Bourbon regimes often emphasized fiscal restraint and lower taxes. While some taxes were levied, they were often insufficient to adequately fund all public services, and education was frequently deprioritized in favor of other spending, such as infrastructure that primarily benefited the burgeoning industrial sector.
* Belief in limited government: The philosophy of limited government, which underpinned much of Bourbon rule, translated into limited government intervention in social programs, including education. There was a prevailing belief that education was primarily the responsibility of individuals and local communities, not the state. This conveniently allowed for the perpetuation of inequality.
* Emphasis on private education: Many wealthy white families preferred private schools, further reducing the perceived need for significant public investment in education. This further diminished pressure to increase funding for even white public schools.
In summary, while some state spending on public education did occur during the Bourbon era, it was woefully insufficient to meet the needs of the population, especially the Black population, and was directly linked to the systemic racism and limited vision of the era. The result was a deeply unequal and inadequate educational system that perpetuated social and economic disparities.