This sounds very familiar to American schools. The quality has gone down over the years and the freepublic schools have kind of turned to even more shit.
The private schools that charge $30k/yr/student seem to be doing okay but even then they still require parents to supply materials for the school. And the uniforms cost over $150 per, so 5 times that for a week of clean clothes.
We even have students riding the bus for 2+ hours to transfer to out of district schools. It really is a shame.
However, just like you mentioned, school as an institution is less about learning and more about fitting into the mold. As parents, you should supplement your child's learning with games and adventures that build upon what the school is lacking in.
Sorry to hear the issues with your kids schooling though. It does seem a bit worse than America.
In fact, it is sad that the education system as a whole and free schools in particular turn into a circus!
Education from elementary school !SHOULD! involve children! Schools must interest, fill, give!
By discouraging interest in learning from childhood the education system destroys itself!
But the less educated a person is, the smarter the government seems! The less "confrontation" from such a people you can expect ... maybe this is the state plan?
P.S. Sorry for the next conspiracy theory :)