I apologize in advance for being a party pooper here, and want to make clear first that I applaud seeking new/different input in/to diving, as is the case here!
However (again, sorry in advance):
Personally, I think air/nitrox diving to anywhere over, say, the mid-thirties metres on air/nitrox should be illegal for an instructor or agency, but that 56m during course activity is absolutely irresponsible.
Almost on par with the buddy-line as a solution to lack of awareness.
With that said, I really can’t hold it against CMAS or other amateur groups - they’re amateurs, and shouldn’t necessarily be expected to know any better.
If I get an amateur bricklayer to build my house, it might come crashing down on me - that’s the name of the game.
The real problems, though, are that 1) a massive bulk of professionals in the scuba industry are on the chase for the lowest barrier of entry, thus leaving the general level in such a miserable state that holidaying kids pass for “pro’s” and really are no better than amateurs, and
2) certifying organizations aren’t even obligated to have an insurance, and many, including the biggest, can’t find an assurance company on the planet willing to underwrite them (imagine that in a driver’s license setting).
If 90% of licensed bricklayers were **** at their job, who could blame anyone for hiring an amateur?