Opinions on Gifted Education Programme (GEP)

[Melodies]

Nebbermind:

Melodies:

Strange phenomenon indeed!


In western world, they have more to worry if their kid needs a 'gifted' education. \"Gifted\" has a different meaning for them. Many parents of gifted find that it is the social-emotional aspect of their children's lives that needs support and these gifted students are statistically somewhat more likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disability such as bipolar disorder and to become addicted to drugs or alcohol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_education

In Singapore, most people can't help to want their children to be gifted and invited for the \"gifted\" education program.

Have u seen the MOE GEP mission statement?
Have a look...they r not looking for geniuses but rather a start point for grooming further leaders...which is why social study is a very important subject there.

I have read before! Here u r:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_Education_Programme_%28Singapore%29
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/gifted-education-programme/

[Nebbermind]

I was referring to this.


Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide leadership in the education of the intellectually gifted. We are committed to nurturing gifted individuals to their full potential for the fulfilment of self and the betterment of society.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to make Gifted Education in Singapore a model of excellence. We will achieve this vision by providing professional expertise and exemplary resources to develop intellectual rigour, humane values and creativity in gifted youths to prepare them for responsible leadership and service to country and society.

[ks2011]

janet_lee88:

castanst:

last time.. there was no GEP .. ppl complaint that the system cannot groom kids to their full potential so they came up with GEP .. as a way to pick up the \"gifted\" kids so as to groom their full potential ..

so tell me how to please sporeans>??

there is gifted program for primary schools...but this program stops at p6...so what is the point of having gep? no offence to anyone.
if the kids are intelligent, then they go to top classes, no need any gep program or transfer to another school.

It does not stop at p6. The students go to SBGE programs.

I really am 'FOR' providing GEP to kids who qualify. I am AGAINST providing extra tuitions and hot housing the kids for the selection tests. My girl was in the top class and in the twinning programme with GE kids- but its not the same. Being in the top class prepares you for PSLE nothing else. Now my girl is in a IP school - which has more of projects and research and she enjoys it.

[walterp]

raymondtkleong:

My son just got selected for GEP. As parent, even after reading all these online postings/articles, we are still not sure whether he should join this programme next year.


All the while, we didn't really pay much attention to this programme, so we don't really understand how this programme work and if it is suitable fo my boy. And of course, he never really \"prepared\" for the test (he doesn't even like to prepare for the normal school exam), so we are kind of surprised that he is selected.

I don't know if he is really that \"gifted\" or \"high ability\". In fact, he never top in his class. But he also never complain school is \"boring\". He is just an easy go lucky boy. But he likes to read a lot (all kinds of books), curious about every other things (ask a lot questions, which most of them I don't have an answer - and find him irritating sometime), and of course like to play games.. He doesn't really like to do/study his school work. In fact, many teachers complained. He is careless, always missing things.

If GEP is really about letting him to learn the things he likes, without being too stressful, I am fine. I don't expect him to score PSLE, or straight As - in fact I really don't like the concept of elitism. I am sure he will be better in some subjects, poorer in other subjects. That's perfectly fine and normal. But I do want him to be happy in his learning (whatever it is), and not being stressed out (not just about preparing for exams - forced to learn all things for PLSE + many more just for the sake for exam). I also like him to expose to many other things including non-academic things like sport, art, music, soft skillset and etc.

I really like to hear from you guys whether GEP is suitable for him.

Thanks in advanced.

Some GEP kids don't score in school exam and test b'cos they are less kiasu or competitive. But one thing for sure they will outshine those \"smart\" kids who are pure muggers and exam smart. They are different from other kids who can do well b'cos they have greater \"power\" of concentration and can see \"things\" logically and have far greater analytical ability than the average smart kid.

The GEP selection test 2 is about speed and concentration power. It differentiate the average smart kid from those who have these natural ability in them to solve problem in quick time. That's is what the GEP selection testing of the top 1% of the cohort is all about.

If you kid is selected for GEP without you rending any external \"help\" that means he/she is definitely suitable for the GEP programme.
He's got hidden potential and only GEP testing has help to surface that.
Do not be worry about how she/she will perform in the GEP programme.

[janet88]

Hi ks2011,

Thanks for the info on GEP program.

[Melodies]

Nebbermind, do u think gep program has successfully developed the creativity?

[octoberbaby]

GEP programme is OK lah. CMC (can means can).


However, just need a transparency at the results at P3. What went wrong, why only qualified Round 1 and not into the programme.
Receiving a letter ‘Thank you for your participation’ without even know what went wrong. We need the Report similar to New South Wales Result.

[walterp]

octoberbaby:

GEP programme is OK lah. CMC (can means can).


However, just need a transparency at the results at P3. What went wrong, why only qualified Round 1 and not into the programme.
Receiving a letter 'Thank you for your participation' without even know what went wrong. We need the Report similar to New South Wales Result.

Round 1 screening of say 50,000 take top 10% (5,000)

Round 2 Selection of 5,000 take top 10% (i.e top 1% of 50,000) - 500

Gender ratio almost always M:F 2:1 (don't ask why ?? may be it is usual trend )

So a DD chance for GEP is almost always half of DS

So if DD/DS always top scorer for P1-P3 (b'cos of all the extra hothousing and tuition/ enrichment) it does not guarantee he/she is a GEP potential

Even If your DD/DS is average or above average in P1-P3 ( w/o tuition/enrichment) , he/she can still be a potential GEP.

I think GE testing is not about what the kids already know or understand BUT testing of what the kids can extrapolate with greater speed and logic. So GE testing is not about the norm. GE testing is not about some domain knowledge like NSW. See the difference.

If they release a report like NSW for 4,500 to explain why ?? , then GEP testing is no longer GE testing any more. Then everyone can try to prepare for it.

[Trapwithin]

raymondtkleong:

My son just got selected for GEP. As parent, even after reading all these online postings/articles, we are still not sure whether he should join this programme next year.


All the while, we didn't really pay much attention to this programme, so we don't really understand how this programme work and if it is suitable fo my boy. And of course, he never really \"prepared\" for the test (he doesn't even like to prepare for the normal school exam), so we are kind of surprised that he is selected.

I don't know if he is really that \"gifted\" or \"high ability\". In fact, he never top in his class. But he also never complain school is \"boring\". He is just an easy go lucky boy. But he likes to read a lot (all kinds of books), curious about every other things (ask a lot questions, which most of them I don't have an answer - and find him irritating sometime), and of course like to play games.. He doesn't really like to do/study his school work. In fact, many teachers complained. He is careless, always missing things.

If GEP is really about letting him to learn the things he likes, without being too stressful, I am fine. I don't expect him to score PSLE, or straight As - in fact I really don't like the concept of elitism. I am sure he will be better in some subjects, poorer in other subjects. That's perfectly fine and normal. But I do want him to be happy in his learning (whatever it is), and not being stressed out (not just about preparing for exams - forced to learn all things for PLSE + many more just for the sake for exam). I also like him to expose to many other things including non-academic things like sport, art, music, soft skillset and etc.

I really like to hear from you guys whether GEP is suitable for him.

Thanks in advanced.

Congrats.
The GEP selection is pretty accurate. Personally I think the \"accident rate\" of choosing the wrong child is quite low. Since he is selected, you might want to consider sending him for it. Of course the most important thing is that he must be willing to join the program.

[Nebbermind]

Melodies:

Nebbermind, do u think gep program has successfully developed the creativity?

I really can't tell if my boy would have been different if he has not gone thru it.