All About GEP

[corneyAmber]

tamarind:

The problem with the GEP, is that the selection process is such that it allows parents to prepare their kids, by cramming them with advanced knowledge. That gives high income families an advantage, because they can afford to send their kids to the best GEP preparatory schools. The selection process should be changed to better identity the child with the highest learning ability, and more importantly, one who truly loves to learn.

Tamarind, regarding the scholarship issue, I too have a view that there should be a separate scholarship offerred to those who need it financially and one offer to those who needs it for branding purposes. Alternatively, based on same scholarship system but the quantum of support can vary, just like the Spring grant application for companies. If the household income is higher, the value supported can be lower and if hsehold income lower, they can get more support, in that way, it is up to the wealthy to decide if they still want this prestige. And also with such a scheme, more needy kids can be funded since less fund needed for the wealthy ones who just want the honour of a scholar.

As for the GEP preparatory class, if it is true that those who cannot make it are identified and returned to mainstream, then let people prepare.

My take is if prepared kids can remain good in the GEP program, I have no issue because it shows that at least they have the gift of perseverence to maintain themselves in the course. And if they cannot, they will have to face the possibility of returning to mainstream.

As for those truly gifted but do not get thru the test, it is unfortunate that there is no alternative for them to re-enter GEP program again.

[lizawa]

ks2me:

As for those truly gifted but do not get thru the test, it is unfortunate that there is no alternative for them to re-enter GEP program again.

They cannot choose to re-enter the Primary GEP but there is always another chance at the secondary level, at least for the 2 IP schools I know. For RI and HCI, at Sec 1, they actually group the students who were from GEP Primary and mainstream into different classes. But if you have performed exceptionally well during the DSA entrance exam, they will place you with the GEP students in Sec 1. But eventually, by end Sec 2, the students of both streams will be \"on par\".

The GEP program is supposed to be robust, intellectually challenging and requires lots of independent study. So for late bloomers who are not picked up at P3 level, this will be another opportunity for them. And I have heard stories that not all GEP Primary students do well at secondary level.

[tamarind]

ks2me:

Tamarind, regarding the scholarship issue, I too have a view that there should be a separate scholarship offerred to those who need it financially and one offer to those who needs it for branding purposes. Alternatively, based on same scholarship system but the quantum of support can vary, just like the Spring grant application for companies. If the household income is higher, the value supported can be lower and if hsehold income lower, they can get more support, in that way, it is up to the wealthy to decide if they still want this prestige. And also with such a scheme, more needy kids can be funded since less fund needed for the wealthy ones who just want the honour of a scholar.

I totally agree with your proposal

I think they should just come out with the something to honour the top students, it does not have to be scholarships. It could be just to have their names engraved in a prominent place in the Istana :lol: Or ask the president to shake hands and take photos will do :lol: That should be good enough to bring honor to the family.

I feel that if we have 2 students who have the perfect scores, the scholarship should go to the one whose family has a lower income. I heard a rumor, don't know whether it is true or not, that if a student has special skills like knowing how to play the piano, then he has a higher chance of getting scholarships ? This again, is elitist, because lower income families may not be able to send their kids for music lessons.

[Emelyn]

Can anyone advise me where I can send my son for GEP training ?

Sorry for being so shallow, but I think this is the only way to go. It is for my son’s future !!

Imagine having a PSLE score of 240 and can still get into ACS(I), just because you are from GEP. That’s really very attractive.

Sad Sad.

Forced by circumstances !!

[corneyAmber]

lizawa:

ks2me:

As for those truly gifted but do not get thru the test, it is unfortunate that there is no alternative for them to re-enter GEP program again.

They cannot choose to re-enter the Primary GEP but there is always another chance at the secondary level, at least for the 2 IP schools I know. For RI and HCI, at Sec 1, they actually group the students who were from GEP Primary and mainstream into different classes. But if you have performed exceptionally well during the DSA entrance exam, they will place you with the GEP students in Sec 1. But eventually, by end Sec 2, the students of both streams will be \"on par\".

The GEP program is supposed to be robust, intellectually challenging and requires lots of independent study. So for late bloomers who are not picked up at P3 level, this will be another opportunity for them. And I have heard stories that not all GEP Primary students do well at secondary level.

Thanks Lizawa, good to know that there is an alternative for the kids who missed the boat.

[lizawa]

Emelyn:

Imagine having a PSLE score of 240 and can still get into ACS(I), just because you are from GEP. That's really very attractive.

!!

If the child can get in ACS(I) with 240, he must have gone through the DSA path. It's not necessary that all GEPers will get offered through DSA, but many will. Your child still need to sit through all the various tests / interviews before he is offered. A bright child in mainstream can surely score more than 240. The top student in most neighbourhood schools do score more than 265, in the past few years. Last year was really an exception, maybe 270 - 280 ?

[corneyAmber]

tamarind:

I totally agree with your proposal

I think they should just come out with the something to honour the top students, it does not have to be scholarships. It could be just to have their names engraved in a prominent place in the Istana :lol: Or ask the president to shake hands and take photos will do :lol: That should be good enough to bring honor to the family.

I feel that if we have 2 students who have the perfect scores, the scholarship should go to the one whose family has a lower income. I heard a rumor, don't know whether it is true or not, that if a student has special skills like knowing how to play the piano, then he has a higher chance of getting scholarships ? This again, is elitist, because lower income families may not be able to send their kids for music lessons.

Yr idea is a good one since all funds can go to needy kids.

During our time, learning piano is probably elitist but learning music has probably become more affordable for many people like handphones?? Cos everyone I know has kids who are learning some form of music. I suppose all being equal, they need to find an alternative talent for differentiation. I hope they will consider all aspects of achievements (including community work) as long as they are outstanding in it.

[metz]

tamarind:

I heard a rumor, don't know whether it is true or not, that if a student has special skills like knowing how to play the piano, then he has a higher chance of getting scholarships ? This again, is elitist, because lower income families may not be able to send their kids for music lessons.

Heard from my sil's that some neighbourhood schools do offer elitist programs such as golf, violin etc... Besides, if I'm not wrong, cc do provide some programs at lower costs too. So, kids from the lower income families are not really being deprived.

[tamarind]

There are many families in Singapore having household income of $2000, and has 2 or more kids. There are also phonics and Chinese enrichment classes to attend, which should be higher priority than music. These low income families may not be able to afford music lessons.


CC courses are cheap, but I do not think that the quality is good. I have let my kids join a speech and drama class before, it was so bad that I pulled them out halfway.

[mulan]

Hi Chief Kiasu,


I actually dun see that he is naturally gifted, that is why the doubt is there.

Have spoken to him , told him the and cons, he actually wanted to try.

He is not trained to be in GEP, as we let to him to go play play, but didn’t know he is selected.

The decision is that we will let him try cos he wanted it.

Being a working mother of 4 is truly no joke, esp my eldest is going for PSLE nex yr

We will monitor and see, if worst case I may quit to focus on them.

thks for the advice.