Is this not a case of one lot of ignorant people (the so-called "intelligentsia") decrying another lot of ignorant people? (i.e. Mr Pot meet Mr Kettle)

That having been said, it really is a problem that so many in the population believe in Aliens/UFOs, chemtrails, vaccines with microchips in them, the Antichrist, flat-Earth, astrology etc. etc.

It must be a failing of the education system. Maybe a more Socratic approach is needed? A system that asserts that “These are the facts —learn them! (The exam is in 6-months time)” is bound to provoke a backlash.