Seems the core problem is that many/most students aren't there to learn the material, just to get grades. The class is a complex mechanism to force them to learn material against their will in a validation arms race. The teacher's job becomes something like a military commander. Seems depressing.

This is because we shield children too much from reality. If they had a fire under their ass that made them realize if they don't study well, they will forever be locked into flipping burgers or being homeless, most of them would move their assess.

Don't do anything productive for the society but still get to live a decent life on benefits, job security etc combined with addictive social media have ruined most kids will to study.

And the schools are even worse. When I was in school, teachers encouraged learning things; whether for school or outside, with teacher or self help. Everything was fair game and supported. Debate was normal.

Nowadays the teachers in schools are like a cult. Kids are tuned to reject anything from outside; anything that contradicts teacher is a no go zone. Anything that's "too advanced" compared to what teacher is doing is forbidden. Kids are scared of learning by themselves because the teachers punish it. What do you think these kids will do when they grow up?