The quote highlights a stark critique of the education system, emphasizing its failure to prepare students for the harsh realities of life. Instead of focusing on practical knowledge or emotional resilience, the curriculum often prioritizes trivial information that has little relevance to personal experiences and challenges. This disconnection can leave students unprepared for the social pressures and conflicts they will face outside of school.
The author underscores the idea that school neglects to teach students about the darker aspects of human interactions and the cruelty that can occur among peers. The metaphorical "mangled human slime" represents the toxic relationships and betrayal that can occur in social settings. This sentiment evokes a sense of frustration and disillusionment with formal education and its inability to address the complexities of human nature and empathy.