uhm asaris, you seems a bit pesimistics....
But you might be right about the fact that few people prefer being passive and never think and their own
I prefer being optimistic and thinking that if they go the opportunity to be more selfthinking a not not only sheeps which follow the herd they might take it.
About the basis like 2+2=4 and so on, there is no room for arguing, having a critical mind doesn't concerns the knowldege in this case but may be more the way to learn (introducing more life example and making the subject more attractive).
I didn't took the idea the same way as you did, but more in a direction of helping youngs and student to e more involved in what they learn and help them to have their own opinions.
A six year old is not directly concerns when it's time to learn basis of math or grammar rules but regading the way of learning there is different methods that can help being autonome and self thinking even at low age : not only learning by heart but also understanding... when you understand things you can then be interrested into them, if you are concerns with what you learn you want to learn more even on your own and not only for your future job (a six year old doesn't think about that yet
)
the exemple of new methos in use in France are mainly in small school (for 6 to 10 year old) there is less student by classroom (10 or 15 maximum) they work the complete week even the saturday morning but the afternoon they got more cultural actvity (also more sport). where they can see the practical things and discuss it.
This is I believe a good step with youg children to help them in being interrested and concerned in what they learn and so being critical. This kind of test schools are only done in a few towns in France and it s probably not possible to adapt it everywhere because of the cost it will require!
In anycase I think it s better being optimistic and believing that people will prefer being more critical and think on their own. And at least offering them this opportunity can't hurt.