I think the factory system referes not to the subjects but the methods of teaching. It has been argued for the last 40 years or so that modern education just cr

I think the factory system referes not to the subjects but the methods of teaching. It has been argued for the last 40 years or so that modern education just creates humans to work in cubicles since that is what employers want. This does not benifit society. An example in the UK is that all TEN year olds in the UK are taught to use Excel, Power Point and Word. They are not taught what these tools are for or how they work but how to use them. It has no educational value but gets the children ready for their working life of complete boredom. It is a complete waste of time in my opinion. Example 2: All UK children from 9 are given lessons and tests in using a calculator. This can be inspite of the fact that they may not 'understand' multiplication (note I mean understand as opposed to perform). Children are taught that education is needed so that you can get a good job (in a cubicle). While this is true it is a small part of the world as any adult knows. The idea of life learning is absent from modern education. Little or no attempt is made by the system to inspire children to go beyond the syllabus, children who fall behind are however 'worked' until they catch up. BTW I do not blame teachers for this. As education has become more prescriptive and motivational the role of teaching has been sidelined. It's a good article and as a parent it rings true to me. PS: I have two children aged 10 and 3 in the UK education system atm.