GEP 2012 - Screening & Selection
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Hi pecalis… Thanks for yr sharing. May i ask is yr ds is p6 or sec 1 this year?
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My ds is going thru the same phase as pecalis’. He is quite laid back, we have to keep reminding him abt deadlines…sigh. My ds is also more argumentative, when I nagged him to prepare for his sa2, he said PM Lee said don’t be so kancheong. Just have to wait till he gets his results, then I will start my nagging again
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PiggyLalala:
Hi pecalis... Thanks for yr sharing. May i ask is yr ds is p6 or sec 1 this year?
Hi, PiggyLalala, he's P6 this yr. -
pecalis:
Your story is similar to what I heard from friends. They didn't prep their kids, kids got into GEP by own merits, yet they struggle to cope with the workload [almost endless project after project + exams].
Struggled as he has to hard work and sometimes work smart as work can really pile up, esp in P5 and P6. P4 is quite a honeymoon yr, though I personally find the Social Studies the toughest (but just need to pass. haha) He is just not mature in his line of thoughts for the commentaries, but maybe also weaker in Eng compared with math. I tried to be in the loop when he was in P4 and even took an interest in his work, esp the sc project on the solar cooker. We \"helped\" in getting the oil tin and cutting it for him and did a trial at home - not successful!
When he failed his 1st math test, there was no material or practice paper to try and i had to set my own paper for him based on his mistakes. He failed due to careless mistakes and lack of practice for speed and accuracy.
When he was in P5 and P6, total hands off from us his parents - he understood and agreed that he wanted to be more independent. He struggled with his IRS project (in P5) but reluctant to let us know but came to me when he was really late for the project. He had to collect data from P4-P6 but he was intimidated by the P6 boys, who seem scary and not helpful. I spoke with his tr mentor and we were prepared for him to fail the IRS but tr said should at least hand in by completing it. In my confinement, I went with him to sch at 6.30am (for 2 days) to interview a few classes b4 assembly and we thanked those who consented with some gummies and M&Ms. He learnt to do the same for the next 2 days on his own and completed the collection of data. He realized it was not that difficult after all.
I simply wish to verify if this comment is accurate - \"if you prep your kids, they will struggle\" which seems to apply the opposite is true as well. A bit like the bogeyman.
That somewhat contradicted what pple told me in private [and now by you as well].
Anyway I personally doubt the effectiveness of GEP prep classes - perhaps only useful as a placebo effect. -
Your story is similar to what I heard from friends. They didn't prep their kids, kids got into GEP by own merits, yet they struggle to cope with the workload [almost endless project after project + exams].
I simply wish to verify if this comment is accurate - \"if you prep your kids, they will struggle\" which seems to apply the opposite is true as well. A bit like the bogeyman. That somewhat contradicted what pple told me in private [and now by you as well].
I agreed, Kids that didn't go thru Prep Class may struggle to cope as they didn't go thru any trainning or exposure likes those kids in the GEP prep. There will be a gap between these 2 groups of kids. This is what I am worried if my DD pass and selected as she didn't have any Prep / trainning. It will be a hard time at start. But I believe they will catch up very fast and in track . Frankly till now ,I m still not sure which is the right choice if DD selected. Stay in mainstream where she will has easier life & childhood OR in GEP where she needs to handle tons of works and stress at this age. :slapshead: -
I think the word ‘gifted’ is not an appropriate word to use for this so-called GEP. This word has definitely been blown out of proportions by most people since this programme has been implemented. Throughout the years it has added on unnecessary stress and anxieties to parents and students alike. If the child has much higher abilities in learning compared to the regular students, then he/she will make the cut for the programme and should be able to cope given his/her capabilities. MOE will not put them through what they cannot attain or endure. If that is so, then what’s the purpose of the GEP programme. Those who struggle are the ones who do not really have the cut for GEP but somehow get selected due to various reasons like going for GEP prep classes whereby you are given a headstart to advance learning or the child has done unexpectedly well for the selection test by mere guess works.
Anyway only 500 children will be selected, so the remaining 2500 children or so may be spared the ‘agony’ and ‘uncertainties’ of going through the GEP, and taking the route less travelled in the course of their education.
If your child has the cut for the GEP, by all means accept it as he /she will be a much happier child because they are created uniquely with special talents and will certainly rise up to the challenges of the GEP. It is simply because they have the capacity for greater things in life. -
Fresco:
3500 not 2500I think the word 'gifted' is not an appropriate word to use for this so-called GEP. This word has definitely been blown out of proportions by most people since this programme has been implemented. Throughout the years it has added on unnecessary stress and anxieties to parents and students alike. If the child has much higher abilities in learning compared to the regular students, then he/she will make the cut for the programme and should be able to cope given his/her capabilities. MOE will not put them through what they cannot attain or endure. If that is so, then what's the purpose of the GEP programme. Those who struggle are the ones who do not really have the cut for GEP but somehow get selected due to various reasons like going for GEP prep classes whereby you are given a headstart to advance learning or the child has done unexpectedly well for the selection test by mere guess works.
Anyway only 500 children will be selected, so the remaining 2500 children or so may be spared the 'agony' and 'uncertainties' of going through the GEP, and taking the route less travelled in the course of their education.
If your child had the cut for the GEP, by all means accept it as he /she will be a much happier child because they are created uniquely with special talents and will certainly rise up to the challenges of the GEP. It is simply because they have the capacity for greater things in life.
4000 selected in the first round -
2500 or 3500, it doesn't matter, they are selecting 500 For GEP, that doesn't change, does it? Good, another 1000 children spared from the uncertainties of the change in their learning journey especially when they are not prepared for it.
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Contrary to most said in red below, the one with most pre n well-prepared n parental helps is the one who do very well in GEP. If u r very all-rounded n pre since very young, u r basically always in the range of 80-93% It has to be very all-rounded to do well in this gep program. Basically, 4 subjects r average of maths, eng,Chinese n science, how not to do well in each of them to get good overall le? The one who didn't pre n not all rounded one but got in is always struggle to cope, unless the parents can help. This group of geppers can score>260!!!
FQW:
pecalis:
Your story is similar to what I heard from friends. They didn't prep their kids, kids got into GEP by own merits, yet they struggle to cope with the workload [almost endless project after project + exams].
I simply wish to verify if this comment is accurate - \"if you prep your kids, they will struggle\" which seems to apply the opposite is true as well. A bit like the bogeyman. That somewhat contradicted what pple told me in private [and now by you as well].
Anyway I personally doubt the effectiveness of GEP prep classes - perhaps only useful as a placebo effect. -
Puzz...zzle:
Misconception here. The so-called GEP prep classes \"prepare\" their kids to take the GEP screening and selection tests. They do NOT prepare them for the GEP syllabus. As to how effective these GEP prep classes are in getting the kids into GEP, that's questionable. If anything, I think it buys into the kiasu mentality of parents and the effects are more placebo than concrete. Their objective is to have the parent pay lots of money so the kid stands a better chance at getting into GEP. And once you get in, you're on your own. Of course, the more enterprising will have GEP tuition classes, where these kids can have specialised tuition on top of their already busy schedules just so they can manage the challenging GEP syllabus. Time and money well-spent? How about rest time for the kids?
I agreed, Kids that didn't go thru Prep Class may struggle to cope as they didn't go thru any trainning or exposure likes those kids in the GEP prep. There will be a gap between these 2 groups of kids. This is what I am worried if my DD pass and selected as she didn't have any Prep / trainning. It will be a hard time at start. But I believe they will catch up very fast and in track . Frankly till now ,I m still not sure which is the right choice if DD selected. Stay in mainstream where she will has easier life & childhood OR in GEP where she needs to handle tons of works and stress at this age. :slapshead:
I remember the first thing the HOD of GEP told the parents on our first meeting with him when our kids first entered GEP. Do NOT send your child for tuition. They will not need it. And he was correct. There was no need for tuition nor did I help my dd in her homework or projects. We did give her lots of emotional support and made sure she had enough rest and play time.
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