I have no experience of data beyond the article which would entitle me to an opinion about another country's educational system, but I do know that in the U.S., surveys show similar woeful ignorance of the youth regarding history, geography, and why things are the way they are.

He or she who does not know history is doomed to repeat it. As a history buff (and holder of a degree), our current level of knowledge is very poor, adn our understanding is even worse.