In addition to the response above, I think it contributes to painting a picture of the class system in Maycomb and Scout's rejection of the status quo, both of which will be integral parts of her understanding of the trial.
Scout's school experience introduces us to the Cunninghams, the Ewells, the bus children and how they compare with Scout intellectually. Scout, far superior, still has moral values and sees how the aforementioned gimmicks are truly a rip-off.
Scout is not okay with the system of school, nor will she later be okay with the system of racism when she watches it unfold in the trial.
Additionally, I think Lee takes this school experience chapter to stab at the problems of public education... ironically many of those same problems still exist today. We try to serve the needs of a diversely growing group of children in a society where information grows faster than our teachers.
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