It's more national than tribal. Canterlot is majority unicorn with the top unicorns going to a school with a teacher that specializes in teaching one subject, which is the focus of the show because that is where the protagonist grew up in. The school is also shown to have an approval process that you need to pass to show magical ability to expand on. Celestia has never been shown to have flight mastery, though can fly, instead forming the Wonderbolts, a similarly high level of achievement for Pegasi. Though not education, the status is arguably more important than the magic school as the show never focused on a single other magic graduate as having achieved a notable position. This means that a wider spread of education and employment opportunities are available for the population and to push more individuals to maximize potential and even expand the fields in the future.

Earth ponies do get the short straw, but their education is clearly not suited to casting spells or military adjacent aerial operations. The result of this type of inclusive education that the character desires is seen in Twilight's school. They don't achieve much, which is recognized in the opening of Flim and Flam's commercialized college. Twilight could not argue their education was lesser than her own and could only defeat the concept through catching the organizers in embezzlement, a failing of organization and not education. This is because the friendship school focuses on fun and inclusive behavior instead of pushing the potential of the individuals. The lessons of friendship clearly failed as the villains of the show unite and then stir total division of pony society, including the attendees of the school of friendship. The society values individuals that contribute more. Personal valuation can be taught alongside specialized training. Clearly for a thousand years, friendship still held true with the system set up that allowed for the population to be valued for both contribution and for their worth as beings.

Celestia's only failing in this system was allowing for the creation of such a school where the students could be jeopardized… which in theory was not allowed through the EEA, a regulatory body separate and above the princess to protect the integrity of child education… which was bypassed by the princess to make such a school… at the wishes of Twilight… who disregarded the child protective regulatory body… at the suggestion of the former communist… who has a position of power over the education and psychological wellbeing of the student body… wait a minute… is this just a retelling of our own education system?

"No, no you see earth ponies and pegasi don't need a school. Their abilities are reflexive instincts to compensate for their lower intelligence, so no education is needed! …what?"