GEP Preparatory Program
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zakashi:
Not compulsory to do HMT lah (at least I know that is true at ACS Pri GEP, not sure about the other centres though).
HMT? That will be tough. Thanks for the info.mummy so kiasu:
It is indeed top 1% base on the GEP test. Those who are strong in Math & English have advantages. Since MT in not included, those who are weak in MT will not have disadvantage. However, they have to do HMT if they are selected for GEP. -
keroppi:
Not compulsory to do HMT lah (at least I know that is true at ACS Pri GEP, not sure about the other centres though).[/quote]What a relief!
HMT? That will be tough. Thanks for the info.zakashi:
[quote=\"mummy so kiasu\"]
It is indeed top 1% base on the GEP test. Those who are strong in Math & English have advantages. Since MT in not included, those who are weak in MT will not have disadvantage. However, they have to do HMT if they are selected for GEP. -
I am totally against GEP prep classes.
It seems that some parents seem to have a misconception that once the child makes it to GEP, he will be assured of a DSA offer to a top school and of the EESIS scholarship. Many parents seem very interested to get their children into GEP.
As many GE parents have pointed out, the GE program is very rigorous and demanding. Most GE kids have to work very hard from primary 4 to 6 to maintain the GE status and earn that DSA offer. The GEP is not a walk in the park.
In my DS’s school GE cohort, there is a small handful of kids who struggle with the GE program. They perform below the rest, below the benchmark and sometimes below 50% from P4 to 6, in spite of numerous tuition. When it came to DSA, I heard one didn’t apply - there was no point. A few were brought for many DSA tests and interviews ( some schools did not even offer an interview ), but were rejected. I empathize with them … and their parents. The kids are not enjoying their childhood and could develop a low self esteem, in my opinion.
Then to top it off, the GE teachers start preparing them for PSLE only in July ( which is the norm for the GE curriculum). I understand that they did not do well, I heard one of them scored 22x for PSLE.
Whilst I do not know whether these kids were sent for GEP prep classes, the parents had the financial means, but I believe that they could have done better in PSLE and have a better choice of secondary school if they had not joined the GEP. -
KSmom8:
I thought quite a number of GEP students scored very well in 2012 PSLE. :?I am totally against GEP prep classes.
It seems that some parents seem to have a misconception that once the child makes it to GEP, he will be assured of a DSA offer to a top school and of the EESIS scholarship. Many parents seem very interested to get their children into GEP.
As many GE parents have pointed out, the GE program is very rigorous and demanding. Most GE kids have to work very hard from primary 4 to 6 to maintain the GE status and earn that DSA offer. The GEP is not a walk in the park.
In my DS's school GE cohort, there is a small handful of kids who struggle with the GE program. They perform below the rest, below the benchmark and sometimes below 50% from P4 to 6, in spite of numerous tuition. When it came to DSA, I heard one didn't apply - there was no point. A few were brought for many DSA tests and interviews ( some schools did not even offer an interview ), but were rejected. I empathize with them ... and their parents. The kids are not enjoying their childhood and could develop a low self esteem, in my opinion.
Then to top it off, the GE teachers start preparing them for PSLE only in July ( which is the norm for the GE curriculum). I understand that they did not do well, I heard one of them scored 22x for PSLE.
Whilst I do not know whether these kids were sent for GEP prep classes, the parents had the financial means, but I believe that they could have done better in PSLE and have a better choice of secondary school if they had not joined the GEP. -
Err.. majority GEP kids are doing well la.. As you rightfully pointed out, only a small handful of kids who are struggling with the GE program la
At the end of the day, parental supports (e.g. monetary or direct helps) are crucial to do well in GEP. Some of them are even paying (can dump many thousands) to get someone to write reports or do their perceived useless social studies works
Those kids who did not perform are not getting rigorous supports (no money from parents and their parents can't help la) from parents la..
You are outdated la... majority of the kids have gone for prep classes to make it for GEP program nowadays.. In my dc' school, I have not heard a kid who does not go for tuition/prep/enrichment classes but still make it. Almost 100% of them have attended some kind of \"classes\" de. :yikes: Also, almost all of them has at least 1 SAHP. What does it tell us? :evil:
Aiya, mainstreams are also preparing PSLE in Jul too. Are you saying that MOE should let GEP kids to prepare PSLE earlier than mainstreams?
KSmom8:
I am totally against GEP prep classes.
It seems that some parents seem to have a misconception that once the child makes it to GEP, he will be assured of a DSA offer to a top school and of the EESIS scholarship. Many parents seem very interested to get their children into GEP.
As many GE parents have pointed out, the GE program is very rigorous and demanding. Most GE kids have to work very hard from primary 4 to 6 to maintain the GE status and earn that DSA offer. The GEP is not a walk in the park.
In my DS's school GE cohort, there is a small handful of kids who struggle with the GE program. They perform below the rest, below the benchmark and sometimes below 50% from P4 to 6, in spite of numerous tuition. When it came to DSA, I heard one didn't apply - there was no point. A few were brought for many DSA tests and interviews ( some schools did not even offer an interview ), but were rejected. I empathize with them ... and their parents. The kids are not enjoying their childhood and could develop a low self esteem, in my opinion.
Then to top it off, the GE teachers start preparing them for PSLE only in July ( which is the norm for the GE curriculum). I understand that they did not do well, I heard one of them scored 22x for PSLE.
Whilst I do not know whether these kids were sent for GEP prep classes, the parents had the financial means, but I believe that they could have done better in PSLE and have a better choice of secondary school if they had not joined the GEP. -
zakashi:
Yes. If you have read some postings before, you will know that GEP kids are prepared better than mainstreams for PSLE and hence score better in PSLE simply because there are more HOT questions nowadays that GEP kids are exposed more than mainstreams'.
I thought quite a number of GEP students scored very well in 2012 PSLE. :?KSmom8:
I am totally against GEP prep classes.
It seems that some parents seem to have a misconception that once the child makes it to GEP, he will be assured of a DSA offer to a top school and of the EESIS scholarship. Many parents seem very interested to get their children into GEP.
As many GE parents have pointed out, the GE program is very rigorous and demanding. Most GE kids have to work very hard from primary 4 to 6 to maintain the GE status and earn that DSA offer. The GEP is not a walk in the park.
In my DS's school GE cohort, there is a small handful of kids who struggle with the GE program. They perform below the rest, below the benchmark and sometimes below 50% from P4 to 6, in spite of numerous tuition. When it came to DSA, I heard one didn't apply - there was no point. A few were brought for many DSA tests and interviews ( some schools did not even offer an interview ), but were rejected. I empathize with them ... and their parents. The kids are not enjoying their childhood and could develop a low self esteem, in my opinion.
Then to top it off, the GE teachers start preparing them for PSLE only in July ( which is the norm for the GE curriculum). I understand that they did not do well, I heard one of them scored 22x for PSLE.
Whilst I do not know whether these kids were sent for GEP prep classes, the parents had the financial means, but I believe that they could have done better in PSLE and have a better choice of secondary school if they had not joined the GEP.
C'mon, we all have gone through schooling before and knew very well that top 20% are more or less can make it. Only those who are motivated to work hard that make a difference between top 1% and 20% la. Only 1 in a million is a real genius! Albert Einstein is one in a few billion in a few decade too :yikes:
When I looked back now, most of the kids who did very well in primary schools were faded away in secondary school la. Those late bloomers were the one who can sustain and made it to the Uni and all the way to PhD.
-
teddy:
Sad for those kids who got into GEP via preparation course. Such kids will end up relies on their parents' help to get their work done and thru which parents are not teaching them the right value. Many parents thought once get the kids into the top school their jobs are done. And they have shown themselve to be successful having a gifted child in front of others. :sad:
Yes. If you have read some postings before, you will know that GEP kids are prepared better than mainstreams for PSLE and hence score better in PSLE simply because there are more HOT questions nowadays that GEP kids are exposed more than mainstreams'.zakashi:
I thought quite a number of GEP students scored very well in 2012 PSLE. :?
C'mon, we all have gone through schooling before and knew very well that top 20% are more or less can make it. Only those who are motivated to work hard that make a difference between top 1% and 20% la. Only 1 in a million is a real genius! Albert Einstein is one in a few billion in a few decade too :yikes:
When I looked back now, most of the kids who did very well in primary schools were faded away in secondary school la. Those late bloomers were the one who can sustain and made it to the Uni and all the way to PhD. -
zakashi:
You put them in the mainstream they will still do well and get into top sec schs. So why don't just have pull out enrichment well do and abolish DSA ? and there should be no parents making use of GEP to try and get DSA and EESIS offer. Objective is to stretch the students right if they are selected.
I thought quite a number of GEP students scored very well in 2012 PSLE. :?KSmom8:
I am totally against GEP prep classes.
It seems that some parents seem to have a misconception that once the child makes it to GEP, he will be assured of a DSA offer to a top school and of the EESIS scholarship. Many parents seem very interested to get their children into GEP.
As many GE parents have pointed out, the GE program is very rigorous and demanding. Most GE kids have to work very hard from primary 4 to 6 to maintain the GE status and earn that DSA offer. The GEP is not a walk in the park.
In my DS's school GE cohort, there is a small handful of kids who struggle with the GE program. They perform below the rest, below the benchmark and sometimes below 50% from P4 to 6, in spite of numerous tuition. When it came to DSA, I heard one didn't apply - there was no point. A few were brought for many DSA tests and interviews ( some schools did not even offer an interview ), but were rejected. I empathize with them ... and their parents. The kids are not enjoying their childhood and could develop a low self esteem, in my opinion.
Then to top it off, the GE teachers start preparing them for PSLE only in July ( which is the norm for the GE curriculum). I understand that they did not do well, I heard one of them scored 22x for PSLE.
Whilst I do not know whether these kids were sent for GEP prep classes, the parents had the financial means, but I believe that they could have done better in PSLE and have a better choice of secondary school if they had not joined the GEP. -
teddy:
Aiyoh! There's a difference between GEP preparatory classes and tuition / enrichment / parental guidance. The former is designed with the aim to get the child into GEP. As for the latter, well, almost all kids have it nowadays, since Pri 1, for various reasons: child is behind peers, parents' / child's kiasuism, schoolteachers' laziness / incompetence, etc.Err.. majority GEP kids are doing well la.. As you rightfully pointed out, only a small handful of kids who are struggling with the GE program la
At the end of the day, parental supports (e.g. monetary or direct helps) are crucial to do well in GEP. Some of them are even paying (can dump many thousands) to get someone to write reports or do their perceived useless social studies works Those kids who did not perform are not getting rigorous supports (no money from parents and their parents can't help la) from parents la..
You are outdated la... majority of the kids have gone for prep classes to make it for GEP program nowadays.. In my dc' school, I have not heard a kid who does not go for tuition/prep/enrichment classes but still make it. Almost 100% of them have attended some kind of \"classes\" de. :yikes: Also, almost all of them has at least 1 SAHP. What does it tell us? :evil:
Aiya, mainstreams are also preparing PSLE in Jul too. Are you saying that MOE should let GEP kids to prepare PSLE earlier than mainstreams?
I know for a fact, that many students in GEP, don't have tuition / enrichment classes before primary 4. Whilst I don't consider them gifted ( I agree, a truly gifted person is rare), they are bright and academically inclined, some have other talents ( musical, artistic, etc ). A child who is \"artificially prepared by GEP prep classes\" for GEP will find it an uphill task to keep up with his GEP peers and with the program, in my opinion.
I also don't see nor hear of any GEP parent doing the child's work or engaging another to do their projects. Parents do offer suggestions / comments, but aren't all parents ( GEP or mainstream ) concerned and more involved nowadays? I believe that the GE kids do the work themselves, which is supported by the many drafts they have to submit to the teacher for their many projects. Wah, if so perfect, why have drafts after drafts, before the final submission? These kids work very hard for their projects and deserve that recognition. (Btw, the GEP kid who is bottom of the school GEP cohort comes from rich family and has many tuition, so performance cannot be due to lack of financial support.)
GEP students START preparation for PSLE in July. Mainstream students start as early as primary 4 or 5. The GE program is focused on projects mainly. The teachers start to fine tune answering techniques for PSLE in July in primary 6. They still have to study for their social studies exam in August. These kids are bright and academically inclined which is why majority do well in PSLE eventhough it's only 3 months of preparation. The not-so-bright have to struggle due to the short preparation time.
I hope that fellow parents reconsider before sending their children to GEP preparatory classes.... It's not the norm...and it might do more damage than good for the child. -
KSmom8:
O Nowadays, most enrichment classes/tuition (e.g. TLL, mindst..../) have GEP materials la. Aiyo, those didn't go for tuition but their parents prep them at home wa (can search a lot of materials nowadays). The same wa. Either the parents can help or you get helps from outside.
Aiyoh! There's a difference between GEP preparatory classes and tuition / enrichment / parental guidance. The former is designed with the aim to get the child into GEP. As for the latter, well, almost all kids have it nowadays, since Pri 1, for various reasons: child is behind peers, parents' / child's kiasuism, schoolteachers' laziness / incompetence, etc.teddy:
Err.. majority GEP kids are doing well la.. As you rightfully pointed out, only a small handful of kids who are struggling with the GE program la
At the end of the day, parental supports (e.g. monetary or direct helps) are crucial to do well in GEP. Some of them are even paying (can dump many thousands) to get someone to write reports or do their perceived useless social studies works Those kids who did not perform are not getting rigorous supports (no money from parents and their parents can't help la) from parents la..
You are outdated la... majority of the kids have gone for prep classes to make it for GEP program nowadays.. In my dc' school, I have not heard a kid who does not go for tuition/prep/enrichment classes but still make it. Almost 100% of them have attended some kind of \"classes\" de. :yikes: Also, almost all of them has at least 1 SAHP. What does it tell us? :evil:
Aiya, mainstreams are also preparing PSLE in Jul too. Are you saying that MOE should let GEP kids to prepare PSLE earlier than mainstreams?
I know for a fact, that many students in GEP, don't have tuition / enrichment classes before primary 4. Whilst I don't consider them gifted ( I agree, a truly gifted person is rare), they are bright and academically inclined, some have other talents ( musical, artistic, etc ). A child who is \"artificially prepared by GEP prep classes\" for GEP will find it an uphill task to keep up with his GEP peers and with the program, in my opinion.
I also don't see nor hear of any GEP parent doing the child's work or engaging another to do their projects. Parents do offer suggestions / comments, but aren't all parents ( GEP or mainstream ) concerned and more involved nowadays? I believe that the GE kids do the work themselves, which is supported by the many drafts they have to submit to the teacher for their many projects. Wah, if so perfect, why have drafts after drafts, before the final submission? These kids work very hard for their projects and deserve that recognition. (Btw, the GEP kid who is bottom of the school GEP cohort comes from rich family and has many tuition, so performance cannot be due to lack of financial support.)
GEP students START preparation for PSLE in July. Mainstream students start as early as primary 4 or 5. The GE program is focused on projects mainly. The teachers start to fine tune answering techniques for PSLE in July in primary 6. They still have to study for their social studies exam in August. These kids are bright and academically inclined which is why majority do well in PSLE eventhough it's only 3 months of preparation. The not-so-bright have to struggle due to the short preparation time.
I hope that fellow parents reconsider before sending their children to GEP preparatory classes.... It's not the norm...and it might do more damage than good for the child.
I don't know which GEP school that your dc are in but all of us (including many GEP teachers that I had spoken to) knew very well that you can engage someone to do the project. What you have mentioned may be a very rare case le. May be the rich one got someone to help dc in all the projects and learnt nothing at the end and hence can't do well.
Many told me they don't have tuition but still caught them in some of the enrichment classes like TLL..then they said this is not tuition but rather enrichment!!! :faint:
Now, I understand why many GEP kids (<270) can't do well despite the fact that they are better prepared and exposed for PSLE. Some GEP kids scored very well (>270) because they have been doing consistent works since P4-5 like some mainstream students.
Only GEP kids are bright? Give me a break la. Top 20% are bright and academically inclined if they wanted to.
After 4 decades in this world (from east to west and in academics all my life)...1 have only 1 conclusion, those who did well in academics not because they are smart but because they have positive attributes.
If only GEP kids are smart, how to explain those late boomers during my time but still can excel eventually in academics and overtaking those early boomers (aka GEP kids).
Anyway, from then to now, no change in pattern too... I knew many GEP kids were faded away eventually in Secondary and JC la..very sad but this is the fact. :censored:
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