The problem is not really the educational system, the problem is that is has gone down hill. It used to be harder to pass and get a diploma, but these days everything is tailored for the weakest students. In my country you only need 5% to pass Centralised exams. I agree that things need to change because most students after highschool don't know how to study, which is an important skill to have.
Don't quit school until you have something to fall back on - a bartenders position will take you only soo far.

My point is - if highschool was harder it would better prepare people for university and after that it would be easier to get and keep a job. Another thing is - kids are thought by parents to question authority at a young age so they don't listen to the teachers that try to teach them. I don't agree what you said about grade because school is mostly meant to teach you to study and if there is no tangible way to grade your studying performance then there would be no drive to study. The failure thing you mentioned is mostly caused by the subjects that are boring and that is wrong - students should be able to choose what they want to learn