'pro-education' originates from Latin elements: the prefix 'pro' (Latin 'pro') meaning 'for, in favor of' combined with 'education' (from Latin 'educatio').

'education' comes from Latin 'educatio' (from the verb 'educare'), passed into Middle English (e.g. Middle English 'educacioun') via Old French/Anglo-Norman influences and eventually became the modern English word 'education'; 'pro-' as a productive prefix from Latin has long been used in English to form compounds meaning 'in favor of' or 'for'.

Originally 'educatio' and related forms meant 'a leading out' or 'a bringing up' (raising/bringing forth); over time the sense narrowed and shifted to the modern meaning of 'formal instruction, schooling, or the process of educating', and 'pro-' retained the sense 'in favor of', so 'pro-education' now means 'in favor of education or educational measures'.