Opinions on Gifted Education Programme (GEP)

[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.

[FireflyMom]

walterp:

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.

Yes, Sir! :salute: Can see the difference.

Basically, GEP is a programme for the intellectually gifted and not the academically gifted. Correct me if I'm wrong.. I heard the GE Branch does not mark the entire Math/Eng papers. It is an IQ exam (round 2), actually.

[FireflyMom]

Erm.. Shouldn't this thread be under GEP instead? Why did I find this in \"PSLE & Sec Sch Selection\"?? :? :scratchhead:

[cheng038]

Those kids that are naturally gifted should be identified and given the opportunity to choose to go to an advanced course, such as GEP if that is the best course for them. A naturally gifted child tends to think that the normal curriculum is boring for him/her and that makes him/her unhappy. It’s not the full marks that they score easily that they are interested in, it’s that they simply love challenges!