I agree what is taught in school is very poor and lacking. I hope he current system is a least a gateway for most people: once you start understanding that you need more education, you can look for yourself how to get this education. Then comes to play libraries, grants, online resources etc. Not everyone has a chance to access all the resources he/she needs, but at least middle class and slighty lower classes should have a chance.

To be clear, there will always be a gap between child with clever/well educated parents and other childs, and I don't think we should lower the top level. I just think we need a eay to push people who might be stuck at the bottom level while they could go much higher.