Hee hee you're quite right Donuel! Teaching pupils of 12yrs old isn't easy to be sure. But I expect it's even harder nowadays, with the Internet and lack of discipline wreaking havoc with their behaviour.
I still think that curiosity about everything is a very handy attribute. I always 'need to know', and enjoy the 'smaller, more complex picture'.
I had a group of six Egyptian teachers consigned to my care (on a visit to experience UK teaching methods, and lodged at the University of East Anglia). Their methods were 'chalk-and-talk', and they were fascinated by my different ways. I'd plonk a large pile of books, magazines and photos on each group's table, and ask the children to find out several facts on a list by looking and researching, plus discussing among themselves. I hope this encouraged 'curiosity' for life in those pupils.