First of 2 parts

OUR future is in crisis. The basic purpose of education is to teach a nation's children enough to become worthwhile, active participants in an adult society. A secondary goal is to provide awareness and knowledge of the universe we live in and all that surrounds us. It would be nice to also inculcate a desire to always learn as we go through life. And teach us to think. On this latter one, I understand that we teach by rote learning. With classes often consisting of over 40 pupils, it's not possible to do anything else. That doesn't teach you to think.