Is Zimbabwe's education system really high or is it the rest of the world that just sucks?

I've often wondered this and I often use the level of my English to measure up with those other people from English-speaking countries. I pride myself in the fact that I speak better English than a hell of a lot of people from USA, England and such. I've gotten so hung on this fact that the difference in our level of English is the only wedge in between my girlfriend and I, though she's trying to sort that out.
So I can understand if the representatives of English speaking countries don't understand words like "juxtapostion".
That I will forgive.
In the case of teenagers, I can let not knowing the meaning of "ambiguous" slip. Inferior education system. It's not their fault.
That I will forgive.
But when a young representative from a completely English speaking country in Oceania does not know the meaning of "climate"???????
Climate??
Climate???

"Climate. n. The meteorological conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and wind, that characteristically prevail in a particular region.
A region of the earth having particular meteorological conditions: lives in a cold climate.
A prevailing condition or set of attitudes in human affairs: a climate of unrest."

For all the people in the world who didn't know what climate was. Yes, all 3 of you!

PS. For more on the struggle between the English of my girlfriend and I, make a stop at Kate your Mate