Based on my experience of about 5 years ago I think the PPL syllabus should have much more emphasis on real world flight planning scenarios, examinations of exactly what weather conditions the completion of a VFR flight would or would not be safe under and a look at the practicalities of flying much longer distances and abroad.
Some of the things that I was not taught properly how to do during my PPL and had to be learnt later on; exactly how to use the NOTAMS system and what the different NOTAMS meant, how to file a flight plan, what the requirements were in terms of customs and police for flying abroad, how to find out that information, how to lean the aircraft properly, GPS and how it could be used and probably loads of others that I can't think of now but I've just sort of picked up along the way from PPRuNe and other instructors and pilots.
In terms of how we teach people to actually control and navigate the aircraft I don't think there is much wrong with the PPL I just think there could be much more emphasis on practical planning for likely post-PPL flights and giving people the knowledge and confidence to use their PPL in the real world.