It has been said that malice is not required to explain something which stupidity is sufficient to explain. Likewise stupidity is not required to explain something which incentive is sufficient to explain.
For example, if the aim of public education is to teach the young to think critically and for themselves, then it is stupid failure. If on the other hand the the aim of public education is to dumb the young down and brainwash them, then it's a brilliant success.
Remember, people often lie...