TBH, I don't know much about school systems of other countries. Just reading horror stories of the US education system re student loans at times. So can't really argue that point with you.

But I'm not sure what made you think I'm blaming the children. Not once did I make a remark that would suggest that.

So let me be clear: Children, while they are still considered children, really can't be blamed. As they become adolescents, then slowly, but ever increasingly more, their own viewpoints and actions will have an impact on how their education is going (esp. true if a child goes a lot further in education than their parents ever did).

Rather there's some blame to be put on the social environment and the child's parents. E.g. it's not the fault of the education system if child's parents are divorcing while the kid is in Kindergarden and the child then has to switch schools multiple times, not because the child is problematic or because the education system is pushing the child around. No, chances are most of the blame is on the parents then.