All About GEP

[doodbug]

I have no issue with GEP in its current form of three years (compared to the initial incarnation of GEP as a 7-year programme previously (with majority joining in at P4 and a small number articulating in at Sec 1). What I would say though that should be removed, is the EESIS privilege, which to me, should be based on PSLE results as it is the case for all Singapore students.


Banning GEP prep is not the way to go. The programme is desirable, and is aspirational for some. If you ban the prep at Centres, then it will just go somewhere in the black market. Something else will come to take its place. I am okay with kids who make it due to the prep - am of the view that prep would not work for 90% of the population in any case, it’s really the top 5 or 10% that may get into the programme due to prep. So be it if that is the case.

My kids for example, will never stand a chance at GEP even if I were to send them for prep. And I am sure it applies to many other kids. And I think they got a very solid education and educational experience, even though they were not in GEP.

[skii]

Sunnyfaith\" post_id=\"2115003\" time=\"1690762033\" user_id=\"116015:

In all honesty, maybe they should just ban gep training centers rather than throw away the gep programme which is a lifeline to many disengaged children

Ban =
Change name
Go underground
Private 1on1


Kiasu parent(ing) never fails
Imo

[skii]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2115000\" time=\"1690760998\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2115000 time=1690760998 user_id=53606]
40 years btw. Agree with u. GEB should do a full review and report, from all involved parties’ pov. Has the GEP fulfilled its purpose?

And I want to raise an important qn: since prep is not encouraged (and not needed), why not just spring it as a surprise test? No need to announce the dates nor the year/age for the test mah.[/quote]

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If the questions type keeps repeating - for round 1&2 (and even psle)

Can’t blame anyone (or any centers) for preparing for it.

It’s just natural human tendency.

The “hardworking” gets rewarded.
(In this case, the more well-off kids since gep classes are not cheap)

[SG_KP1]

Interesting comments and some of the responses did a better job of explaining what I was trying to say. Basically, there is no test that is simply evaluating raw ability, but that doesn’t really matter because there isn’t a way to separate where the output (performance) is coming from. It’s evaluating capability at a point in time, however that is obtained.


With respect to the comments, I will say there is a bit of a bias here; responses are from either those whose kids got in or those with highly capable kids. I.e. if you didn’t benefit here, you likely benefitted somewhere else (not that this makes the comments wrong).

[zac's mum]

“either those whose kids got in or those with highly capable kids”


My kid is neither lol. And yet, i am all for a surprise test that evaluates raw ability, just for the sake of eliminating the hothoused.

But maybe i have a grudge to bear i dunno.

(Btw i dont think i specially benefitted from staying behind in my non-gep primary school.) but maybe u are referring to the (certainly more nowadays) opportunities given to the HA in upper primary, and secondary schools as well, for stretching in whichever area the kids’ specific academic talents are in.

[00skyblue00]

I personally came across one boy. Joined so many outside enrichment or advanced learning courses. Mum claimed that boy asked for them, and that he is much ahead of his peers. Was told many other kids joined gep prep program so if he never join, he may be at a disadvantage.

Finally got in gep and top in level in p3.
I felt sorry for the kid but his mum claimed that he enjoys to be challenged and stretched. Claimed alr aiming which top ip school to go etc. I guess i only saw him briefly, not sure the urge came from within or the mum. He was scrawny and small when i last saw. Look a bit dull to be a bright kid imho. But that is their choice.

Do geniuses have to be identified? Read so many stories from books, geniuses even fail exams on purpose to avoid all the extra work. How many geniuses we had so far are from lower income familes which cannot afford to provide more challenging program for such kids?

[skii]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2115129\" time=\"1690809774\" user_id=\"143605:

I personally came across one boy. Joined so many outside enrichment or advanced learning courses. Mum claimed that boy asked for them, and that he is much ahead of his peers. Was told many other kids joined gep prep program so if he never join, he may be at a disadvantage.
Finally got in gep and top in level in p3.
I felt sorry for the kid but his mum claimed that he enjoys to be challenged and stretched. Claimed alr aiming which top ip school to go etc. I guess i only saw him briefly, not sure the urge came from within or the mum. He was scrawny and small when i last saw. Look a bit dull to be a bright kid imho. But that is their choice.

Do geniuses have to be identified? Read so many stories from books, geniuses even fail exams on purpose to avoid all the extra work. How many geniuses we had so far are from lower income familes which cannot afford to provide more challenging program for such kids?

Don’t personal attack that child leh.
(We all got children “one”)

He can look whatever ways he looks.

[00skyblue00]

skii\" post_id=\"2115130\" time=\"1690809973\" user_id=\"82603:

Don’t personal attack that child leh.
(We all got children “one”)

He can look whatever ways he looks.

Is only personal if there is a name stated or identification.
I do hope i am totally wrong for the kid sake, no personal attack intended.

[00skyblue00]

This forum is for discussion isnt it. Everyone can express their own views, no matter how different they can be.

[lee_yl]

Very sad to say, even if there’s a gep round 3 to further eliminate those suspected of being hothoused, most likely nothing will change. Those lower-income families (staying in 1 rm or 2 rm HDB rental flats) will still stand no chance of getting in. Why? Because the competition starts from the point of birth. For families who can afford it, at 18 months already sent to Heguru/ Shichinda/ music/ left-right brain training etc. Do all these give an advantage to those who can afford it? Sad to say, 已经输在起跑线上


Honestly, I do feel sad for those truly gifted kids but who got squeezed out because other kids have parents who are able and willing to spend on grooming them. Reality is, the world is that cruel. Although we strive for meritocracy, those from high SES and those with SAHMs are overly represented in Raffles / Hwa Chong. How to ensure a level playing field at PSLE should be the primary obsession of MOE policy-makers.