All About GEP
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Interesting comments and some of the responses did a better job of explaining what I was trying to say. Basically, there is no test that is simply evaluating raw ability, but that doesn’t really matter because there isn’t a way to separate where the output (performance) is coming from. It’s evaluating capability at a point in time, however that is obtained.
With respect to the comments, I will say there is a bit of a bias here; responses are from either those whose kids got in or those with highly capable kids. I.e. if you didn’t benefit here, you likely benefitted somewhere else (not that this makes the comments wrong). -
“either those whose kids got in or those with highly capable kids”
My kid is neither lol. And yet, i am all for a surprise test that evaluates raw ability, just for the sake of eliminating the hothoused.
But maybe i have a grudge to bear i dunno.
(Btw i dont think i specially benefitted from staying behind in my non-gep primary school.) but maybe u are referring to the (certainly more nowadays) opportunities given to the HA in upper primary, and secondary schools as well, for stretching in whichever area the kids’ specific academic talents are in. -
I personally came across one boy. Joined so many outside enrichment or advanced learning courses. Mum claimed that boy asked for them, and that he is much ahead of his peers. Was told many other kids joined gep prep program so if he never join, he may be at a disadvantage.
Finally got in gep and top in level in p3.
I felt sorry for the kid but his mum claimed that he enjoys to be challenged and stretched. Claimed alr aiming which top ip school to go etc. I guess i only saw him briefly, not sure the urge came from within or the mum. He was scrawny and small when i last saw. Look a bit dull to be a bright kid imho. But that is their choice.
Do geniuses have to be identified? Read so many stories from books, geniuses even fail exams on purpose to avoid all the extra work. How many geniuses we had so far are from lower income familes which cannot afford to provide more challenging program for such kids? -
00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2115129\" time=\"1690809774\" user_id=\"143605:
Don’t personal attack that child leh.
I personally came across one boy. Joined so many outside enrichment or advanced learning courses. Mum claimed that boy asked for them, and that he is much ahead of his peers. Was told many other kids joined gep prep program so if he never join, he may be at a disadvantage.
Finally got in gep and top in level in p3.
I felt sorry for the kid but his mum claimed that he enjoys to be challenged and stretched. Claimed alr aiming which top ip school to go etc. I guess i only saw him briefly, not sure the urge came from within or the mum. He was scrawny and small when i last saw. Look a bit dull to be a bright kid imho. But that is their choice.
Do geniuses have to be identified? Read so many stories from books, geniuses even fail exams on purpose to avoid all the extra work. How many geniuses we had so far are from lower income familes which cannot afford to provide more challenging program for such kids?
(We all got children “one”)
He can look whatever ways he looks. -
skii\" post_id=\"2115130\" time=\"1690809973\" user_id=\"82603:
Is only personal if there is a name stated or identification.
Don’t personal attack that child leh.
(We all got children “one”)
He can look whatever ways he looks.
I do hope i am totally wrong for the kid sake, no personal attack intended. -
This forum is for discussion isnt it. Everyone can express their own views, no matter how different they can be.
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Very sad to say, even if there’s a gep round 3 to further eliminate those suspected of being hothoused, most likely nothing will change. Those lower-income families (staying in 1 rm or 2 rm HDB rental flats) will still stand no chance of getting in. Why? Because the competition starts from the point of birth. For families who can afford it, at 18 months already sent to Heguru/ Shichinda/ music/ left-right brain training etc. Do all these give an advantage to those who can afford it? Sad to say, 已经输在起跑线上
Honestly, I do feel sad for those truly gifted kids but who got squeezed out because other kids have parents who are able and willing to spend on grooming them. Reality is, the world is that cruel. Although we strive for meritocracy, those from high SES and those with SAHMs are overly represented in Raffles / Hwa Chong. How to ensure a level playing field at PSLE should be the primary obsession of MOE policy-makers. -
In gaming terms: “pay to win”
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Agree that there are kids who are gifted and of higher abilities, high energy levels, higher memory capacilities etc. Also agree that it is not possible to truly ban gep prep centres effectively or stop parents from preparing their own kids, hence differentiating these kids are not foolproof.
Once upon a time, extensive research and overseas studies must had been done to derive the gep program. Is it time for review and overhaul ? Changes will still lead to more stress and not help in reducing stress but sometimes, changes are necessary.
How much is MOE paying for the program? Would making the program co-pay by parents (like independent school fees, differentiated by citizenship) and provide necessary financial support for those eligible make better sense?
As for those gifted but got squeezed out, I believe gifted kids will find their own ways as they are independent learners esp in an internet era and now online learning is available everywhere. One can easily join a reputable uni forum to learn and discusss.
I believe, most parents with no kid in gep will not bother if the program gets scrapped or not. Parents withgep kids would like the prog to continue. So there is only a small group of aspiring parents who are unhappy. -
leafy123\" post_id=\"2109486\" time=\"1684971314\" user_id=\"199835:
I heard that some kids got the results already.
Hello does anyone know about the creative writing camp for gep students? Have teachers already asked kids to join
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