Debunking the misconceptions that you may have about the Gifted Education Programme
Do you have an intellectually gifted child on hand?
Perhaps you are a parent whose child has just undergone the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) Screening Round on 17 August 2022.
The GEP is an enriched academic programme that caters to the learning needs of highly gifted students. Instead of the mainstream syllabus, GEP students embark on a rigorous and in-depth curriculum that stimulates their minds.
Only the top 1% of the entire student population in Singapore is admitted to the GEP.
Having taught the GEP, we will be sharing some common misconceptions parents have about the Gifted Education Programme.
Let’s debunk some of the things you might be getting wrong about the GEP.
1. Academic support is the only important thing
Students, who are given the opportunity to experience the GEP, will not only be exposed to a rigorous curriculum. They get to meet some of the brightest people. Many high-ability individuals have very different interests from the rest of their peers and being in the GEP gives them the avenue to exchange ideas and socialize with like-minded individuals.
2. Not preparing for the GEP Selection Test
The GEP Selection Round happens two weeks after the results of the GEP Screening Round. While the GEP aims to identify students with high ability, preparing your child ahead of time is absolutely necessary to help them to perform under time pressure.
The GEP Selection Round is a rigorous 2-day process of 2.5 hours each with the English test happening on Day 1 and the Math test on Day 2. For a Primary 3 child, this requires concentration, discipline and stamina that needs to be trained. To help you gain a deeper insight as to how you can adequately prepare your child for the GEP Selection test, we have an upcoming webinar by experienced teachers and ex-GEP students who will give a detailed analysis of the Selection Round and Screening Round questions.
Looking for some Selection Test practice questions? Check out our article on how you can prepare for the Selection Test.
3. All’s well, ends well
Once you get into the GEP, the assessment does not stop there.
The programme assesses students in the following ways:
- Coursework
- Written Exams
Students are tested yearly and these exam papers are set by the Gifted Education Branch in MOE. You can potentially drop out of the programme if you don’t meet the baseline requirements of 70%.
Which is why it is more important that students have a true understanding of what they are learning and develop their ability to apply their knowledge in different contexts. For English, students need to understand the nuances of the language and be articulate and insightful in the way they express themselves. All of which require them to read widely, be exposed to and develop their critical thinking skills over an extended period.
4. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy
Children who have been identified and successfully enter the GEP may be shocked when they first set foot in the class. The classes that they used to cruise through easily will become more challenging. Teachers will also explain concepts at a faster pace and in greater depth.
Some children may find it difficult to adapt as they feel pressure to measure up to their peers. Parents must provide emotional support and prepare their children for these impending changes.
5. Not understanding the rationale for being in the GEP
Simply want your child to get into the programme because it’s prestigious?
Or feeling like the GEP is elitist?
Then you might be missing the point.
The GEP provides an environment where students can strengthen their mental faculties and flourish. Just like how athletes are scouted and placed in an environment where they spend countless hours mastering their craft, gifted individuals need to have that same avenue.
Mental faculties are like muscles. It needs to be trained and exercised. For some of these individuals, the mainstream syllabus is not mentally stimulating enough and requires a specialized curriculum that challenges them beyond their years.
“Mental faculties are like muscles. It needs to be trained and exercised.”
Now that we have debunked some of the myths of the GEP, it’s time to find out the available resources that we have!
Get the right support for your child
To stretch the potential of an intellectually gifted child requires expertise, exposure and a positive community of like-minded peers.
Curious and want more resources?
Think Academy has designed a course for P3 students who are keen to enhance their thinking abilities and prepare them for the GEP Selection Test and beyond.
Find out more through our community groups here or catch us live on our webinar on 18 August 2022, 8pm. Get the meeting link and password from our community group!
