I feel bad for all those people who had miserable school experiences. I loved school and had a great time there. The system is set up to reward those who get with the program. There are carrots as well as sticks.
The system is sheer hell, however, for those who can not or will not fit in, comply, knuckle under.
Uncooperative people generally get left out. I never felt constrained to question or ask questions if that is what you are implying. However, I have heard that silly excuse for failure far too often to take it seriously.