You stated correctly when you said that the answer varies. And that depends on the culture. I'm also a teacher, and looking back to my schooling years, which I must confess that I cheated a couple of times, there's a trait that I could relate to other students after I became a teacher. And that's motivation!

Some students don't feel motivated about learning. They tend to see school like a train station they must stop before arriving to their destination, which is graduation.

And sometimes, it is not entirely their fault. In some places, the education system must be revised. I know that we must test students to know if they're assimilating the knowledge. But at the same time, it is better not to put a lot of emphasis on grades because students usually study to pass a test and not to understand, find and formulate new concepts.

I firmly believe that teachers must teach student how to think. That nurtures creativity, enforces confidence, and solidifies self-steam. Because when the students are motivated in a dynamic environment, they can feel themselves integrated into the learning process, which makes them care about their own development.

This is a great content displayed in this post. This topic is sometimes overlooked and treated slightly. And if we want to progress and evolve, this is something that needs further analysis and discussion from teachers, students and parents.