Essay writing in school isn't about the art of writing -- its about teaching children to logically organize their thoughts into compartments using gramatically correct sentences, then present them in linear fashion. This is very important!
The art of writing is about expressing ideas, emotions, arguments, and passions through any visceral manner letters on paper allow you to.
Essay writing in public school is about teaching children the peculiarities of the format they will be graded on in their next standardized test. This is probably a wash.
The art of writing is about expressing ideas, emotions, arguments, and passions through any visceral manner letters on paper allow you to.