I think the problem is that people think you can "teach design". Knowing how to use the tools isn't hard in the slightest, if you don't have good taste then it's impossible to ever design something that looks good to the general eye. Knowing how to use Photoshop or HTML/CSS is like knowing how to use a pencil - it doesn't make you an artist. I'm not saying this is a waste of time, but design isn't something you just teach.