Good morning practicalthought, so many great ideas in your post sized reply. I agree with them all and firmly believe that parents and the home hold the most influence over a child's attitude and want to learn. The children with a leaning difficulties who keep trying are most likely have the strong positive relationship with parents and are from supportive enriching homes.
So many variables contribute to a child's choices in life. School systems definitely get it wrong but I also know having worked in the Education system in Queensland that there are very good teachers who do their best for their students. Of course there are always teachers who fall short.