The problem with the kids in the private schools is that they are taught to memorize a procedure to attain an answer to a pre-constructed question. For them it'

The problem with the kids in the private schools is that they are taught to memorize a procedure to attain an answer to a pre-constructed question. For them it's different to ask if x is 3.56 and y is 4, what is the product of x times y, in contrast to asking them to multiply a the 3.56 per item cost of four burgers. In my opinion the problem is not what is taught or how, but the direction teaching as a whole has always had. It's fine to teach kids that the product of x and y is z, as long as you've also spent time explaining the actual uses something might have in the children's life. Kids and teenagers always say "Why do I have to study this if it has no use in real life?", and it's the school's and teacher's job to teach this children that they're wrong.