I do think it can be taught, much like any learned skill, but they have to want to learn. My last two midwives were young and childless, but they were absolutely wonderful - better than the older midwife I had with my first. I can understand your frustration though - I feel the same sometimes since I started my nursing degree this year. They should know about things like the placenta and gestation from high school science! But it is early days yet, and these girls will soon learn what being a midwife is really about - and some of them may decide it is not what they want to do after all. Those that truly want to be there will give it their all.