[WS:] This is what I hear from my wife too. But I am reasonably certain that this is true for most occupations - lawyers, doctors, software engineers, airline pilots, even sociologists. Yet, we do not witness what seems like orchestrated campaigns to go after these occupations. Hence my reaction to education 'reforms' spearheaded by the political and business classes.
I personally had both very good and very bad teachers, but it did not matter that much. At one period I did very poorly in school despite good teachers (some of whom really tried hard to save my ass) and at another period I did reasonably well despite bad teachers (who wanted to punish my contumacy) - the fact what did make a difference was a (forced) change in my social environment (http://wsokol.blogspot.com/2012/01/edumacation-in-amerika.html )
I any case, I appreciate the clarification of your position on the issue. I do not think it is much different from mine.
Wojtek