To keep the new generation stupid might be the secret agenda. A smart population could cause the elite quite a few problems.

Generals need soldiers, not people who can think for themselves.

They can't be seen to do nothing about the lack of good education, so they come up with loads of impossible ways to "improve" the system, but so full of red tape that it will halt any real improvement.

Although I'm all in favour for better maths and literacy teachings at primary school, as I was taught "old school" like most of us on here, I also believe that we live in a rapidly changing world where other skills might be equally important.

My children might not always get their grammar right, but they can teach me how to use all the new technology. A 6 year old knows more about that than me.

Although we might morn the loss of some of the old ways, we should also embrace the wonderful things our children are exploring in this new high paced society and give them some credit. They have skills in areas where we're lacking and which might be needed in a future we can't see yet.