It think we also need to look at boredom in schools. Fundamentals are important. Without reading, writing, and arithmetic, education is a waste. We need to put as much resources into early education as possible. Family support is obviously not always there.
Attitudes are most important in education.
Sometimes children just do not apply themselves. This is a question about structural change. No, that is not the job of the union, but teachers do not just stand around and just lecture. If they do, that is just a poor teacher. But my observation is that lecture is used predominately.