I agree. However, the goal of the computer science classes is to teach basic algorithms and data structures, and not focusing on the language particularly. For instance, in the national exam (written) you may use any printing function (printf / cout), but you are limited to use C-style string functions. No vectors, no additional containers C++. Pointers are being studied too, but there are no exercises which involve coding in exams for memory allocations, so you never get to choose between new/malloc. I don't like this situation but this is the problem I am trying to address, any idea is well appreciated!