All About GEP

[lizawa]

raysusan:

ks2me:

However because of the perks that come with it like DSA program into top sec schools...it creates a further attraction for parents to think their kids can be made gifted to take this route into a good sec school.

hmmm..i see

this is one of the main reason cause i guess

The smartest ones are the enrichment centers who have come up with such GEP preparation programmes. So we are now saying that \"giftedness\" can be trained, although schools have been telling parents not to \"prepare\" the kids for the screening cos' it will not be good if the kids get into the robust programme and cannot cope eventually. More detrimental than beneficial.

The next thing I guess will happen, change in GEP selection criteria or removing the programme totally.

[tamarind]

ks2me:

Personally I feel that kids should be observed over a period of 3 years for their giftedness by trained teachers through some regular activities that can uncover giftedness. Or some test results that can be trend over a period of 3 years to see a consistent gift in the child. Then at P3, those recommended ones can go for a confirmation test if the number of identified kids exceeds the vacancies. Otherwise they should just all be switched to different learning style(aka GEP) to develop them properly. In this way, there is nothing the parents should try to do as preparation nor make ALL children go thru the GEP tests just to find out that they are not gifted. This would also reduce the chance of getting wrong kids into GEP or keeping the right ones out simply becos they were not in top form on test day. JMHO.

I agree that the above is a better method of selection

But then again, with a class size of 30 or more, it may be difficult for the teacher to really know each student very well. So the first step is to reduce the class size !

lizawa:

The smartest ones are the enrichment centers who have come up with such GEP preparation programmes.

Today there is an article about GEP preparation schools in the Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao. Some schools are charging $3000 for a 10 week session :shock:

I think I should start a business teaching bright kids to get into the GEP :lol: I got no problem teaching a P3 child Calculus :lol: Anyway the child is already very smart right ?

[lizawa]

tamarind:

Today there is an article about GEP preparation schools in the Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao. Some schools are charging $3000 for a 10 week session :shock:

I think I should start a business teaching bright kids to get into the GEP :lol: I got no problem teaching a P3 child Calculus :lol: Anyway the child is already very smart right ?

Yeah, these centers also screen the child first. They normally \"guarantee\" the child to get pass the 1st round into the 2nd round, but do not \"guarantee\" the child will get into GEP. If we look at the statistics, those who get passed the 1st round are the more academically inclined children, so I think it's not difficult to do the 1st round screening.

A side note, someone was mentioning in this forum on definition of \"bright child\" vs \"gifted child\". Now we are seeing people trying all ways to train the \"bright\" to be the \"gifted\".

[corneyAmber]

I just read the LianHe ZaoBao…is Learning Lab, Learning Point and Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning GEP Prep Schools? I don’t think they are touting themselves as such. Can someone enlighten me?

[mulan]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


Hi all,
Any advice on whether to go in GEP?

I am a mother of 4 , my 2nd son is selected for GEP. And I'm working.

Still thinking of Y and N..... :?:

[Emelyn]

I find this GEP thingy very sad.


Because of all the private training schools, the truly gifted children are being robbed of the opportunity by those "trained" children.

Quite sad to see the education system in Singapore becoming like this.

Sad Sad

[ChiefKiasu]

mulan:

...I am a mother of 4 , my 2nd son is selected for GEP. And I'm working...

If you think your son is indeed naturally gifted, and if he did not attend any special \"GEP Preparatory course\", then go for it. Given that you have 4 children, I daresay that you are unlikely able to provide the kind of support and attention that might be needed to help your son achieve the best of what he can be. This is exactly what the GEP is designed for.

[Vanilla Cake]

tamarind:

Today there is an article about GEP preparation schools in the Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao. Some schools are charging $3000 for a 10 week session

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx7Tqcr

[jaykaysl]

GEP.


Hot topic this week cos most parents of selected children will hand in the form tomorow. Note to parents: the last day of submission is 10th Nov Mon 5 pm.

My ds is selected for the GEP. What my DH and I did was to explain the pros and cons of going for the programme to our son. We also let him speak about his concerns. Then we tell him we will consider how he feels and we will make the final decision. After all he is only but 9 years old. What is important is that whether he takes up the challenge or not of the programme, he has to be happy learning.

Our society here puts too much emphasis on acedemics. We tend to forget life is a continuous process of learning. GEP or not, a child has to enjoy the learning process.

As parents, we have to weigh whether our child's learning style will be able to handle the programme. Getting into GEP is not about prestige and perks (ya it may come with it).

IF itz suitable, itz about giving our children an alternative enjoyable learning experience.

[tamarind]

Vanilla Cake:

tamarind:

Today there is an article about GEP preparation schools in the Chinese newspaper Lianhe Zaobao. Some schools are charging $3000 for a 10 week session

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx7Tqcr

Thanks for posting the article.

ks2me:

I just read the LianHe ZaoBao....is Learning Lab, Learning Point and Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning GEP Prep Schools? I don't think they are touting themselves as such. Can someone enlighten me?

The Learning Lab requires the child to go through assessments before he/she will be offered a place. They select the best students. Why do the best students need extra lessons ? By logical deduction, is to get into the GEP.