GEP 2012 - Screening & Selection

[jershejos]

I ever thot of prep my dd for the test but realise she’s not cut for it so decided not to and just concentrate in maintaining her standard. Surprisingly she was selected for round 2. Interest is really a key point else it’s suffering…

[Picolo]

jtoh:

You won't be denying another child of a place because there is no reserve list for GEP. But I would also caution you against 'trying GEP out'. Main reason being that some kids (and parents) can be mean. And if a child transfers out of GEP back into mainstream, some people will talk. If your child is selected for GEP and has not had any GEP prep classes and has been doing well in his old primary school, go in to GEP with confidence and enjoy the journey there. It's not easy but it is rewarding.

Based on the limited cases I know of, it is interestingly the truly gifted and therefore confident ones (in my observation & opinion) that transfer back to mainsteam for other reasons. Those who are not coping well try their best to 'hang on' since it's such a privilege to them to be able to join GEP...

[bebe]

I was contemplating if I shd sign for the prep class (as some of my gfs are signing up their kids) but my gal said "Aiyah…no need lah, being gifted mean you are born with it, it is natural talent that God gives you. If everyone can be gifted by going to classes, then it is not gifted liao." She puts me into the right perspective…lolz

[auntieM]

bebe:

I was contemplating if I shd sign for the prep class (as some of my gfs are signing up their kids) but my gal said \"Aiyah..no need lah, being gifted mean you are born with it, it is natural talent that God gives you. If everyone can be gifted by going to classes, then it is not gifted liao.\" She puts me into the right perspective..lolz

Sounds good to me too.. ...I'm tempted to put DS for Prep class coz its nearby but better not de..

[sunnymumsy]

Will that be disruptive? They will either change school or change class, right? If can, that'd be good. Can let dd try awhile and see if she likes it... but it's not so nice of me to do that as well, it's wasting a space that another child can have. Hmmm.[/quote]


You won't be denying another child of a place because there is no reserve list for GEP. But I would also caution you against 'trying GEP out'. Main reason being that some kids (and parents) can be mean. And if a child transfers out of GEP back into mainstream, some people will talk. If your child is selected for GEP and has not had any GEP prep classes and has been doing well in his old primary school, go in to GEP with confidence and enjoy the journey there. It's not easy but it is rewarding.[/quote]

Thank u for the sound advice!!

[Nebbermind]

Seriously, gep is not all that tough. The kids just need a lot of parents support emotionally and reassurance coz they will see less than perfect score during tests, assignments and project. The work and the process actually requires more maturity than intellect and personally, it’s ok as long as they donch do that badly. By p6, I believe most will realise that they actually enjoy the different route.

Must have some faith in our kids. They may not be genius (which I donch think that’s what moe is looking for) but they r good enough and are not selected by accident

[Kiatkhim]

Majority in GEP are not selected by accidents.


However, i believe we do hear maybe one(or two?) incident where parents wondered why their children got selected and halfway choose to drop out of GEP due to coping difficulty.

Just have to be realistic and careful that all systems have their limitations especially when the selection process and criteria are not entirely transparent. Accident is rare but it may happen.

As responsible parents, exercise our judgement when making or supporting a decision that is best for our children.

[Nebbermind]

Kiatkhim:

Majority in GEP are not selected by accidents.


However, i believe we do hear maybe one(or two?) incident where parents wondered why their children got selected and halfway choose to drop out of GEP due to coping difficulty.

Just have to be realistic and careful that all systems have their limitations especially when the selection process and criteria are not entirely transparent. Accident is rare but it may happen.

As responsible parents, exercise our judgement when making or supporting a decision that is best for our children.

I've heard of parents being very agitated during one of the early joint conference (all schools) that my wifey attended. She gathered that it's coz some parents would only want to hand in the PERFECT piece of work/project which is actually quite impossible for most P4s who mostly do not have the indepth knowledge yet.

There are also some kids whose lives are already quite packed with enrichment activities, not necessary academic but things like music, dance, swimming/other sports etc. Therefore they will find a lack of time for GEP projects.

On a side note, I think that most boys will be able to cope not because they are smarter but coz they are generally less sensitive and more bochup, less competitive at younger age so not so emotionally affected by the apparent poor performance.

[bebe]

It came upon to me that for those parents who decide to send kids to prep class…it is their choices but I would not be calling them insane or KS. I have a few frens who send their kids to GEP prep prog, and I never mock at them. Every parents has the right to think and choose what is the best for their child but it is not fair to label those parents as crazy or nut. In fact, sometime, it is the kid who requests to attend such classes…one of my fren’s boy is one such example, he wanna try and challenge himself, and he did feedback that he enjoyed the lessons.

[FireflyMom]

:goodpost:

bebe:

It came upon to me that for those parents who decide to send kids to prep class..it is their choices but I would not be calling them insane or KS. I have a few frens who send their kids to GEP prep prog, and I never mock at them. Every parents has the right to think and choose what is the best for their child but it is not fair to label those parents as crazy or nut. In fact, sometime, it is the kid who requests to attend such classes..one of my fren's boy is one such example, he wanna try and challenge himself, and he did feedback that he enjoyed the lessons.

:goodpost:

IMO, we should not be too judgmental about other parents' decisions.

To : the group of parents who send their kids to prep classes
Monitor your kids' stress level. Do not let your children feel that if they do not get into GEP, they're disappointing you big time. It will hurt their self-esteem like they're never good enough for you. If they find the prep classes very stressful and cannot keep up, you should consider withdrawing them.

To : the group of parents who send/do not send their kids to prep classes and criticise other parents for sending
I noticed a few parents are a little harsh when talking about other parents sending their kids to prep classes. IMO, this is the parents' choice. No one is using your money to send your kids to prep classes. If you do not agree, just do not send your kids. No need to condemn these parents. If their kids cannot cope in the programme, they'll have to bear the consequences, not you.

Just my 2 cents' worth. Don't :spank: me..