Maybe my view is common among PPL instructors. I'm also an IRI and airline pilot as it happens so its a view shared not exclusively in PPL schools.
Everyone gets lost from time to time and anyone who says they haven't is a liar.
I'm not saying basic use of VORDMENDB can't be taught in the 45hr course. I cover it all in two one hour sorties towards the end of the course usually under the umbrella of 'skilltest preparation'.
You've GOT to be able to confidently navigate without recourse to radio aids in my opinion. Handheld GPS can and does fail. It is jammed from time to time by the military. Radio aids do go inop.
Remember a B777 still has an e-type compass and a stopwatch. Boeing wouldn't put them there without a reason.
Cheers
WWW