How about removing desks from schools and instead have classrooms that focus on practical learning such as making things, communication, design, cookery, first aid?
There would be no written tests, just projects and assignments. The pupils would learn by doing, not just by reading, writing and listening.
Everyone would learn and develop at their own pace. So a slow learner may produce something simple, and a quick learner, something more intricate. But both of them achieved the goal for the assignment.
There would be regular visits from employed people and businesses to present what they do in the real world to the pupils. This could be followed up by trips to visit the factory, office, farm etc.
Maths classes would teach about money, tax, stock trading, and saving. With the lessons on how to calculate change, interest, cost of borrowing, compound interest etc.
The cookery class would teach healthy eating, nutrition, hygiene, calorie counting, origin, and processing of food.
Science classes would teach how energy is produced, how engines work, and the laws of physics.
Biology would teach about the spread of diseases and cures.
History would teach about the war, the rise and fall of great civilizations, history of the stock market, what we can learn from history.
The art class could teach how to draw cartoons, how to sketch faces, how to take photographs, how to model in 3D on a computer.
The English class could teach how to do punctuation, how to write blog posts, how to produce sales copy, how to speed read.
The PE class could teach how to workout, basics of self defense, introduction to boxing, grappling, how to throw a ball, catching skills, running, how to avoid injury.
Of course, some of this is already done, but I was trying to think out of the box for a new education system that would be more fun, practical and productive for all involved.