Is GEP really necessary?

[Nebbermind]

sleepy:

Oh, in that case dd's school probably belongs to the former, seems quite laid back. Hardly produce any top scholars the last few years & didn't prep students for Maths Olympiad till p5

Perhaps the school wants the kids to get adjusted to the environment and the GEP curriculum before putting in the optional stuff.

In life, there's a time for everything...not everything need to be accelerated. Already doing alot of enriching 'extras' for GEP so let them enjoy the journey rather than feeling stressed with the extra work.

[2ppaamm]

So what is in GEP that makes it necessary for them to be pulled out of their primary schools and go into a different school? Does anyone know? Why can’t enrichment be done in the same primary school?

[2ppaamm]

smurf:

if the GEP kids in GEP centres are NOT segregated from the rest of the mainstream classes, then why got such labels as GEP and non GEP? for what purpose??

Also my question... does anyone know? Try very hard to segregate and give a branding to these kids, pull them out for special programs, give them special privilege. Then, after doing all these, put them in twinning programs, tell them to blend in??? :siao:

Confusing the kids? Wasting resources?

What is being taught in GEP that cannot be taught to a bigger group of students who did not make the tests, but are no less smart or academically inclined. Afterall, we know that GEP program is really just academic. There are many, many, many non-GEPers who could easily handle the GEP workload and syllabus. One test determines your future forever.

[Nebbermind]

2ppaamm:

So what is in GEP that makes it necessary for them to be pulled out of their primary schools and go into a different school? Does anyone know? Why can't enrichment be done in the same primary school?

Limited resources/teachers? I remember GEP has their own grp of teachers but not sure if it's the same for every school.

[2ppaamm]

Nebbermind:

2ppaamm:

So what is in GEP that makes it necessary for them to be pulled out of their primary schools and go into a different school? Does anyone know? Why can't enrichment be done in the same primary school?

Limited resources/teachers? I remember GEP has their own grp of teachers but not sure if it's the same for every school.

If GEPers are supposed to be the smartest, they learn the fastest, why are their class sizes the smallest? Gifted learners can learn without instructions. Why can't we have bigger classes of GEP? and smaller classes of those with learning difficulties, the special needs?

Afterall, GEP weeds out all difficult cases under this thing called 'attitude rating' and focus on a uniform group of children. They should be the easiest to handle in the whole school. The rest of the school have special needs, learning difficulties, behavioral problems etc etc, and these cannot be weeded out. The rest of the school needs more resources.

[naggo-nitemare]

jtoh:

Sun 2010 and vk2010, I like your posts. They reflect my sentiments too. Now I don't need to write so much. Just like your posts can already.

2 thumbs up! Sun 2010 and vk2010, tks for good posts.

[Nebbermind]

2ppaamm:

If GEPers are supposed to be the smartest, they learn the fastest, why are their class sizes the smallest? Gifted learners can learn without instructions. Why can't we have bigger classes of GEP? and smaller classes of those with learning difficulties?

I've seen these kids before...they can be so vocal and many can be easily distracted...so it's not easy to manage...not trying to justify....juz sharing.

[2ppaamm]

Nebbermind:

2ppaamm:

If GEPers are supposed to be the smartest, they learn the fastest, why are their class sizes the smallest? Gifted learners can learn without instructions. Why can't we have bigger classes of GEP? and smaller classes of those with learning difficulties?

I've seen these kids before...they can be so vocal and many can be easily distracted...so it's not easy to manage...not trying to justify....juz sharing.

when was that? too vocal all they have to do is weed you out. I also saw this myself... maybe different years or different schools.

[Nebbermind]

For me, the GEP is not necessary.


BUT...having been part of the 'scheme' and beneiftted from it, I've nothing against it.

[simple2005]

verykiasu2010:

can't run away from the normal distribution of kids' talent or abilities or 'giftedness'


good thing that MOE Tay Eng Soon recognised it earlier on to provide differentiated learning for the kids

must every GEP-labelled kid score right at the top ? GEP is not about scoring in PSLE exam. If it is about scoring, then just hire a personal coach to prepare and drill for PSLE will do, no need to be so troublesome

It is about enriched curriculum stretching the intellectual ability of the kids. Never about exam. It is also not about grooming an Issac Newton or Thomas Edison or Einstein or Galileo .... it is about not stifling them in their intellectual curiosity based on the normal curriculum

A good summary from VK2010.

The gifted children in general terms are one who have higher abilities in specific areas, and/or in general, are able to pick up advanced concepts quickly. In many cases, mainstream way of learning through drilling/assessment books etc do not suit them, and perhaps they are repulsive to them. But having such abilities does not mean they will get the best results in school, the idea is to have a program where they can learn through their abilities, and the program is such that it will likely not suit other children, who benefits more from the mainstream teaching/study methods.

These children are sometimes also termed to have asynchronous development, meaning they have much high ability in certain areas, but normal in others. So for example, some are mature in understanding complex mathematical concepts, but struggle to come to terms with sharing, just like other children. The program is to not stifle their ability to absorb while they exhibit it so young, but also to manage their growth in other areas. In many cases, these children could be more difficult to handle, they can debate with advanced skills of logic and language, on the most trivial childish topics.

For a lack of a better term, GEP is also a 'special needs' program for young children coming to terms with their advanced ability which is not aligned with their development based on age.

It's probably also true that as they grow, the mainstream children do catch up, and perhaps be on par, or better then the GEP peers, that is possible. But the key (at least to me) is to manage the 'inbalance' while they are young.

This is purely my own personal views. Not a right or wrong, I'm still coming to understand how the program can help the child grow.

Cheers.