Because our capitalist economy basically relies on us all becoming spenders. So we need to work to get money, so that we can buy things and keep the economy running. School is basically a 'baby sitting' service so that both parents can go out and earn money and buy things they don't need, and pay for things like houses which are only as expensive as they are because they are now priced according to two parents' earnings, not just one. And the gvt assumes that education means you will get a job (or pay for further education so you can get a better job) so that you get money that you will then spend. Look at the economy. They are desperate to get us to spend money to get everything working again.
In the past, say in Roman times, kids were taught to fight, because the economy ran on fighting, getting otehr people's land and having slaves to keep the economy going. So those kids had to do what was expected of them too, whether they liked it or not - only that their economy worked in a different way.
We are all slaves to the economy, whatever that economy is based on. it's actually fascinating, but they don't teach you that at school.
I think what you have to do is try to enjoy and get the best out of what you are doing. Exams and essays are no fun, but it could be o so worse.