The core problem — kids don't know how to learn

The biggest problem is that kids aren't taught how to learn. They're forced to memorize, but no one explains the process, no one shows them how. And learning is a separate skill — fundamental, like the ability to walk. You have to honestly explain: learning takes time, it's not always easy, sometimes it's boring and hard, and that's normal. But if you learn how to learn — the rest of your life gets easier, because you'll be able to master any new topic on your own. It's an investment that keeps paying back for the rest of your life. Without it, a kid stays helpless every time they run into something new.