Freethinking is not encouraged in most institutions such as schools and universities, from a very early age we are taught to follow those in authority and obey those who "understand" what they are teaching us.
Yet we are told that every person is unique, if we are all unique then why should we be made to learn the same lessons? I agree that learning the basics of life such as Maths, English, Science etc. is good in order that we can understand our world, but once we begin to understand we are then forcefully conditioned to a one-size-fits-all structure of learning and as sheep which are led by the farmer to slaughter we also are made as sheep to be followers of others who were made followers.
If anyone has ever wondered why progress has taken so long one of the hold-backs of progress is humanity itself, sure we have made some great discoveries, but instead of encouraging free-thinkers we have encouraged an education system which defeats the whole purpose of the education system.
Do we seek knowledge to gain more knowledge or are we happy with the knowledge we have? If we are happy with the knowledge we have then I say our education systems and ways are good, but if we seek knowledge and abundant knowledge we must seek a new education system and a new way of thinking.
Someone once said to me "if we always put in what we've always put in, then we will always get what we've always got" which means if we always teach the same thing and we are always conditioned to the same thing, then we will always be the same.
Free-thinking allows people to think for themselves without being conditioned to those around them, I think schools and universities have their benefits but free-thinking is a topic which institutions should become more aware of.