I think some of it comes down to the student as well.
I've seen plenty of people who I'm training with atm who's frame of mind is to do just enough and think anything more is crazy.
It seems to me it takes nothing special to be a pilot, just a lot of money. It takes a lot of effort and the right attitude to be a good pilot though.
I'm young and still doing my training so could somebody tell me what it was like to get trained say 20 years ago? Could anyone with cash just be a pilot or was there more of a 'want to do my best' attitude as people fought for sponsorship? If the later, then I can see how the whole money thing has left to the results described above. Not that I've seen any of it myself for obvious reasons.
What I describe above isn't most students where I'm at, just a good few.
Although the syllabus doesn't help. I couldn't care less about what materials make up the neurons in my spine. Don't see how this made its way into human performance. Maybe it should just be called biology??
I say bring in oral exams like in the US. That's where you can really see who has a real understanding. Can't learn any answers for that.