I read somewhere that the purpose of education, may it be physics, chemistry or maths, is to understand the nature. Infact, this can be extended to the purpose of all activities, we understand and model the nature, either to mimic it or to counter it.
And, the cumulation of knowledge has lead to a higher educational incubation period, where upon now a Bachelors or Maters degree are considered lowly, and only PhDs suvive, even in industry.
This longer incubation period would have to be corrected over coming years, so as to block out the redundant unnecessary part s of education from all levels, and reducing this educational training peiod, which lasts upto age ~ 30. This is because only a combination of youth, vigor and optimum education can produce men having enough energy to make lasting changes in the society.