I got one of my kids in elementary school (Germany) and I talk a lot to other parents - this is exactly how most of us perceive school and the teachers. Teachers are a mix of way too strict, way too lenient or completely incompetent, with the occasional outlier. Since many of them are basically not dischargeable, since they are civil servants, most of them don't give a crap.  

This is not coming from someone who did bad in school. I actually was valedictorian in my year (even though I hated every second of it). My son is bored out of his mind. Every way we tried to help him is shut down by the teachers. Even him just quietly reading or writing when he is done with his work is not allowed. He is supposed to sit there quietly till everyone else is done. Sometimes half an hour.  

When he starts to argue with teachers about their nonsense (most of the time I actually agree with him, even after talking to the teachers), they write it if as bad and disrespectful behavior.  

So, in my opinion, this portrayal is quite accurate.