There are certainly no international laws.  The syllabus is set by the awarding body for the qualification you are studying for.  In England, for example, there are "examination boards" which set the syllabus for the different educational qualifications.\n\nThe syllabuses generally get a major revision about every five years, although there can be annual minor revisions.  \n\nHowever, If you were taking a subject like information technology, where there is a rapid pace of change, the examination board would probably not penalise you for relying on information from a textbook that is only a couple of years out of date.\n\n\nCONSTILAWCONSERVATIVE:  I wish you would pose your ideas for educational reform as a question!  Britain has tried pretty much the same educational policy as you are suggesting over the last decade or so.  The results might surprise you!