The ordinance was also significant for establishing a mechanism for funding public education. Section 16 in each township was reserved for the maintenance of public schools. Many schools today are still located in section sixteen of their respective townships, although a great many of the school sections were sold to raise money for public education. In later States, section 36 of each township was also designated as a "school section".

Answer this question based on the passage: within the townships created by the land ordinance of 1785 one section was set aside for? Okie... think carefully first, then make a decision:
The important part for answering this question is: Section 16 in each township was reserved for the maintenance of public schools. So, the answer is the maintenance of public schools.