It really is true! Our education system is all focused around memory, and rewards people who are good at repeating facts etc. That's not really a required skill these days what with technology so close at hand, even if it is, it's not the only skill set needed. They don't value and develop creative thinking, which is incredibly important even in business, or people that are good at figuring out problems, or have any kind of rewards ad incentives for people with good leadership skills! One of my piano pupils told me that for part of their english exam they have to memorise 15 poems. What's the point? Just let them bring in the book and then discuss them properly, rather than making them worry about remembering poems they'll probably never use again.