Two things which I strongly believe should be taught in schools are memory techniques, and critical thinking.
To some degree critical thinking is taught, however for me it was always in the context of an English essay, or in relation to debating. I don't recall there being any focus on critical thinking in day-to-day life. Very few teachers truly encouraged us to think for ourselves. Far too much spoon feeding.
When I first learnt a few memory techniques a couple of years ago, I was angry. And that rarely happens to me. I couldn't believe that not once throughout my years in school, did a single teacher even mention techniques that, when mastered, can vastly improve one's memory. There were were so many requirements for rote learning which could have been much more easily and effectively accomplished through the application of a memory aid or two. Of course I can't blame my teachers, the information was out there and I never went looking for it.
Both of these could be covered in a class about how to learn, and continually revised in most classes.
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