What does the cryptic crossword clue "Less than four? Education is primary (9)" mean?

The definition is "primary". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). UNDER (synonym="Less") + IV (abbreviation="four?") + ED (abbreviation="Education") = UNDERIVED; definition: "primary" The answer is UNDERIVED.

Less than four? Education is primary (9)

Guardian Cryptic #29014 | 14 Down | 2023-03-10 flower

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