Pip's education in Great Expectations

From ignorant to educated

As a child, Pip receives almost no formal education:

Mr. Wopsle's great-aunt's school is almost entirely useless
he acquires some basic literacy and a few random facts from Biddy – an experience which puts him well beyond the almost illiterate Joe.

After he receives news of his expectations, his education is rapidly advanced:

Herbert Pocket teaches him social manners appropriate to his new status
he ‘reads' with Matthew Pocket and Mr. Pocket's other students and thus begins to study much more profitably and systematically
he appears to pursue a regular course of reading into adult life.

In the novel, education is closely linked to class:

Pip's educational ambitions arise from his wish to be more worthy of Estella
with Matthew and Herbert Pocket, he begins to acquire the education thought appropriate for a gentleman
Matthew Pocket's other students, although middle-class, clearly need some remedial education to fit them either for university education or for a professional role
Magwitch perceives that the gentlemanly Compeyson is able to use his education to his advantage in the court room.