Is GEP really necessary?

[verykiasu2010]

Chenonceau:

If his parents had not enriched him in Primary school, he would be nowhere today... maybe in and out of IMH?

no lah! is the parents at KSP argue until siao liao

[Chenonceau]

verykiasu2010:

Chenonceau:

If his parents had not enriched him in Primary school, he would be nowhere today... maybe in and out of IMH?

no lah! is the parents at KSP argue until siao liao

:rotflmao: Gotta go work now. Thanks for the light moments.

[Trapwithin]

ksi:

Mychildren:

Hi, my DS's friend got in too because was prepared before hand. So I do somewhat agreed on the above in blue. I don't want to say so much cause his mum might be reading this.

:siam:

You must be kidding to expect a 100% accuracy.
1. MOE can only try their best to be prudent in their processes to minimise but cannot eliminate. There is definitely a % of HA in there because between 1% and 1.1% any difference?

2. If that child is trained, the child already has the pre-requisite of innate ability. My personal experience is all those that I know who trained, DID NOT get in...and trained a few years...but academically doing above average in mainstream.

Actually, the word \"training\", \"hothoused\" might meant differently to each individual. Some treat \"training\" as sending for GEP Prep class, but some treat \"training\" simply as knowledge acquisition, learning new things. One is driven by passion, the other driven by goal. Passion will definitely go a longer way.

Whatever the definition might be, I still think it cannot be truly \"trained\". The kids must have certain ability to understand. For example, we teach a kid \"Fraction\", they must be able to understand the concept, if not, when the question twist ... they will not be able to solve the question. Or a certain EL vocal list, they can surely memorised and use the words, but usually there will be a lack of \"flow\" in the comp.

My point is certain knowledge just cannot be \"forced-feed\" into a child. Thus it is important to keep them learning at a pace that they are comfortable and happy .... of course occasionally we can stretch them a bit .... but stretching them based on our/society expectations ... will back fired somethings - it snaps.

[keroppi]

Trapwithin:

Whatever the definition might be, I still think it cannot be truly \"trained\". The kids must have certain ability to understand. For example, we teach a kid \"Fraction\", they must be able to understand the concept, if not, when the question twist ... they will not be able to solve the question. Or a certain EL vocal list, they can surely memorised and use the words, but usually there will be a lack of \"flow\" in the comp.

My point is certain knowledge just cannot be \"forced-feed\" into a child. Thus it is important to keep them learning at a pace that they are comfortable and happy .... of course occasionally we can stretch them a bit .... but stretching them based on our/society expectations ... will back fired somethings - it snaps.

I tend to agree with this.

The child must have some innate ability to understand concepts at a higher level even if they were to go through training.
As a matter of fact, I never knew such preparatory classes existed (such exorbitant fees too!) until I joined this KS forum.

[Trapwithin]

atutor2001:

(d) HA kids who are not passionate about their study and who forget to wake up will disappear.

They just disappear from the education system, but might be very successful in life later on in their lives .. we just do not know.

[Nebbermind]

keroppi:

I tend to agree with this.

The child must have some innate ability to understand concepts at a higher level even if they were to go through training.
As a matter of fact, I never knew such preparatory classes existed (such exorbitant fees too!) until I joined this KS forum.

Perhaps it's coz u didn't see GEP as a die-die must have. Your kids in pretty good schools, ya?
Getting transfer out may not be such a good thing sometimes...lose your affiliation status and come PSLE....PANIC!!! :stupid:

[Sun_2010]

Chenonceau:

Chenonceau:

Rightly or wrongly... I had assumed that Lim Jeck owed his achievements to his parents. Why would the MOE claim credit for LJ's achievements in mainstream? In primary school, in a class of between 40 to 44, I doubt he was much better taught Math than others. In mainstream, would he have achieved what he did to get into NUSH WITHOUT mathematician parents?

When students do poorly in mainstream, it is the parents' fault. When students shine in mainstream, the system is robust?

:?

ksi:

I believe his mother has made it clear that he would suffer the GEP English.

This statement is response to which question of mine above? I don't quite see the link to my comment.

ksi:

Btw his parents are not mathematicians, they own an IT business.

http://wwwdontmesswith6a.blogspot.sg/2012/08/mad-about-maths.html

The newspaper clearly states that the parents did the enriching in Primary school. The school looked good because he won. His parents enjoy Math... like Math... good at Math (so are Mathematicians). Maybe in secondary, the school was important in bringing out his talent. But certainly not BEFORE he got to NUSH. So I still don't see how this shows up as MOE's success.

If his parents had not enriched him in Primary school, he would be nowhere today... maybe in and out of IMH?

In an average Sg family without special exposure from home, My guess would close to where he is now. Atleast the national scene if not the international.
Perhaps I trust LJ ( a child's passion ) and the primary school he studied more.

[Sun_2010]

verykiasu2010:

Chenonceau:

If his parents had not enriched him in Primary school, he would be nowhere today... maybe in and out of IMH?

no lah! is the parents at KSP argue until siao liao

no more post from me, gotta go, me got appt at IMH.

[Nebbermind]

Have not been following LJ story. Did MOE claim credit for LJ’s achievement?

[corneyAmber]

Nebbermind:

Have not been following LJ story. Did MOE claim credit for LJ's achievement?

No, they did not. I gave credit that the screening test was sound enough to not put him in the programme and get concussion from the English, his mum also said the rigors of English would not suit him. So I highlight this as a positive thing of MOE as opposed to the other view that screening was not accurate and screened LJ out.....