As for children not getting the basics from curriculum and teachers, it does not compute with the anecdotal experience with my children. 

One walked out of Grade 12 with all the math awards, the other two with 90ish grades. They did not receive private tutoring. They did not get a lot of help at home (with Dad and Mum not exactly math savvy). They are certainly bright, but not young Einsteins. While they went to a 'good' public school, I have no reason to believe it was extraordinary. Yet somehow my children were able to not only able to learn the basics, they were able to very competently handle advanced math.

So maybe the 'basics" (whatever that means) are lacking at some schools, but the notion of total system and curriculum failure is not consistent with my observed experience.