what does the poem convey ?

Blake's "The School Boy" reflects the poet's notions regarding societal restrictions. According to the poet, a young boy ought to be free as a bird. However, he is forced to go to school, where he is caged. Unable to explore the world and learn about it on his own terms, the school boy is forced to learn by rote. The poet laments the fact that children who are born to be free have to go to school. This rule of society makes the children sad and become unhappy, much like the caged bird that has forgotten how to sing the children also will forget to admire life.