Despite all the progress in the field of learning and teaching, it seems that what is still being emphasized in our schools is rote memorization and not true learning! To understand why, all research reports published during the past 25 years on the topic, numbering 94, were perused and a subset of 48 which met the selected criteria were reviewed in order to identify true examples of emphasis on rote memorization. It appears that memorization is a rather complex and multilayer phenomenon. Structurally, socio-cultural, political, and ideological factors are involved. Systemically, the educational system of the country through curricula, regulations, teacher training programs, etc. encourage memorization. Subjectively, students, teachers, parents, and planners and administrators all transfer their personal experiences, and perspectives on teacher-centered teaching to the situation and help with the continuity of the phenomenon.