I disagree on the premise that math is tought in the wrong way. Repetition is a very important part of learning so learning to use mathematical constructs is just as important as learning to know how to build them. Also, people don't naturally think in abstract terms, many learn from example first, interpolate and then gain an understanding. Humans are more inductive than deductive. So at the very least it's not that the current education is wrong, but that it needs to add the teaching of another skill.

Like another poster says, the topic requires research. Teaching to think in abstractions isn't easy.