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Agreed...
Kids (and adults who are bad at math) are terrified of fractions.
Every single person I've tutored in math were horrified at having to learn fractions but then again they were bad with their basic math to begin with.
It's the accumulation of things that does it, I think. A pupil can maybe handle not being that good at multiplication and area of geometric figures, but when fractions come along that seems to be the straw (more like a brick) that breaks the back of the camel. I think it's where a lot of kids throw in the towel, and it's unfortunate since it's such a critical juncture.
If you can't manipulate fractions, understanding general algebraic manipulations becomes that much harder. So I think it'd be good if math teachers worldwide used how skilled the students are at fractions as a canary in the coalmine for how far students are falling behind. And then there needs to be an appropriate response if it's critical.