<![CDATA[Is GEP really necessary?]]>Tay Eng Soon initiated the GEP in 1984. The Minister felt a compelling need to develop a special programme so as to enable bright children to realise their full potential, believing these children to have characteristics which would disadvantage them in a normal class setting, and in extreme situations lose their intellectual powers altogether, resulting in a loss for the society.


But do we really need the GEP of today? The tests, a whole department etc etc… Should just 1% of the cohort receive that ‘special’ treatment? I am thinking… how can we make sure we nurture these academically strong children with perhaps a more up-to-date system. Do you have any ideas?

My thoughts include:
1. Extend a smaller class size to not just 500 but a bigger cohort, but have these in every school.
2. Differentiated / enriched or accelerated curriculum
3. Pull-out from existing classes with enrichment in subjects child is gifted in.

Etc… what are your thoughts?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/33339/is-gep-really-necessaryRSS for NodeSun, 03 May 2026 15:41:53 GMTMon, 19 Mar 2012 13:49:41 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 05:49:19 GMT]]>these are my observations.

between GEP syllabus and MS syllabus, there should be a distinction between the two.
If there is no distinction, why separate the students? might as well just merge into one.

Yes, many schools have their MS students doing science projects, competing in Math and spelling competitions, but isn’t getting drilled for PSLE one of the main observations of MS students?

like what zbear said, why double standards?
For this question, I like to switch to another area. Why do some companies have staff employed under the Management Trainee scheme?
So why these companies have double standards?
what is their goal?
Is there a link here? Is MOE following their method? If so, why?

What is MOE’s goal?
will MOE give each of us, the parents, a satisfactory answer?
I don’t know if they can, or if they want to, or if they need to.

I don’t know. I don’t work for them.

For me, the education of my child lies with me, the parent.
I thanked everyone who has come our way and have provided proper guidance to my children. But the main responsibility still lies with me, the parent.

so from me, why double standard?
my observations: so that the students do not take anything for granted.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1588937https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1588937Tue, 06 Oct 2015 05:49:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Tue, 06 Oct 2015 02:48:53 GMT]]>

rwdmathexpert:
I have seen some saying that GEP is not needed in our current day school system, and I have seen many saying it is such a good and wonderful thing for their child to be selected into GEP.

But I like to say this:
One of the main thing that the GEP system teaches is that it trains the child to be tough, resilient, open-minded, open-hearted and to have resolve. In my opinion, it trains the student to taste and face failure quite many times. I think it is part of the curriculum to do that.
It wants the child to learn how to face failure, accept it, climb back up again and ask: \"How can I do better next time?\"
Some very competitive GEP students do cry when they don't well in tests.
The whole situation is very real to them.

So are you saying that the majority of the student population - the MS students are not taught such values but just to be drilled for PSLE eventually?

If yes, why double standards?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1588717https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1588717Tue, 06 Oct 2015 02:48:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:04:43 GMT]]>I have seen some saying that GEP is not needed in our current day school system, and I have seen many saying it is such a good and wonderful thing for their child to be selected into GEP.

But I like to say this:
One of the main thing that the GEP system teaches is that it trains the child to be tough, resilient, open-minded, open-hearted and to have resolve. In my opinion, it trains the student to taste and face failure quite many times. I think it is part of the curriculum to do that.
It wants the child to learn how to face failure, accept it, climb back up again and ask: "How can I do better next time?"
Some very competitive GEP students do cry when they don’t well in tests.
The whole situation is very real to them.

My take is that these GEP students become more responsible and more responsive. It’s like there’s a voice telling them everyday :" Do not take things for granted".
They have to become better communicators, even in "not so nice" situations, esp during project work or presentation work.
You see their confidence growing day by day, week by week. You know a difference is being made. As someone said before, hardwork builds confidence.

So, is GEP really necessary?
Maybe not from certain parents’ point of view. (eg. some may say let the child have some childhood)

But from the country’s perspective, (for the good of public office or in private sector), maybe it is a "necessary yes".

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1588614https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1588614Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:04:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:50:16 GMT]]>

phtthp:
1010happy:

may I please know whether children should join GEP and why? :?: [color=#0000FF]



If your child offered GEP, take it
If not, is ok



If your child is offered, I would say yes, take it and congratulations 🙂

Most (if not all) GEPers seem to really enjoy it and they would benefit from it too 🙂

Curriculum is very enriching and fun.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1578583https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1578583Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:50:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sat, 12 Sep 2015 01:40:05 GMT]]>

1010happy:
may I please know whether children should join GEP and why? :?: [color=#0000FF]


If your child offered GEP, take it
If not, is ok

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1577502https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1577502Sat, 12 Sep 2015 01:40:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:58:05 GMT]]>may I please know whether children should join GEP and why? :?: [color=#0000FF]

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1576793https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1576793Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:58:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Wed, 02 Apr 2014 04:26:00 GMT]]>

Blue Pearl:
will kids lose their childhood in this rat race

Depends, I guess.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1254895https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1254895Wed, 02 Apr 2014 04:26:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Tue, 11 Mar 2014 03:11:49 GMT]]>will kids lose their childhood in this rat race

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1235577https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1235577Tue, 11 Mar 2014 03:11:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:55:44 GMT]]>

catddy2002:
My colleague's son is in gifted programme and RI.

He still don't understand why he's son can score most subjects 100 marks even he did not study much at all.
The same reason why we cannot understand why some kids can run so fast without training or some of them draw so well without any enrichment. Each of us is gifted differently, so it does not mean more tuition equals better results, or more time spent equals better. It is better to know our own areas of specialty and then work on what we are good at.

However, I also believe hardwork makes a difference between two people of equal endowment. Life is never fair, so perhaps it is better not to compare our kids with others and be happy with ours for whatever they have or do not have.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1017479https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1017479Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:55:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:46:50 GMT]]>My colleague’s son is in gifted programme and RI.

He still don’t understand why he’s son can score most subjects 100 marks even he did not study much at all.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1017442https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1017442Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:46:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:43:22 GMT]]>

mummy of three:
Nebbermind:

[quote=\"mummy of three\"]I find it worrying that children are committing suicide because of studying.

If they cannot handle school work then how they go out and work in the future?

How is this related to GEP? :scratchhead:

Study until :siao:[/quote]Actually,if the child is truly gifted, there is no need to study like siow or much at all. There's a diff between giftedness and conscientiousness , different strengths.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1017361https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1017361Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:43:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:42:21 GMT]]>

Nebbermind:
firefly38:



Why you only mention RI? Why not HCI? Or NUSH? Or any other schools?? :scratchhead:

Coz RI still the benchmark those kids or parents who feel they already made it would wanna meet.

Many of the other top ones who are willing to settle for the rest probably donch feel as stressed.

Oh.. I didn't know that :shock: ... Thank you for explaining...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013505https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013505Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:42:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sun, 02 Jun 2013 09:42:53 GMT]]>

firefly38:


Why you only mention RI? Why not HCI? Or NUSH? Or any other schools?? :scratchhead: :siao:
Coz RI still the benchmark those kids or parents who feel they already made it would wanna meet.

Many of the other top ones who are willing to settle for the rest probably donch feel as stressed.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013451https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013451Sun, 02 Jun 2013 09:42:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sun, 02 Jun 2013 03:36:06 GMT]]>

Nebbermind:
2ppaamm:

[quote=\"litmuspaper\"]Don't be too stress. Life is more than just education. Be cool 🙂


Er... Life is more than PSLE, you mean, or Life is more than School, or Life is more than Exams. These exams are a small, small part of education, that is. So why take it so seriously. Hehe... :skeptical:

For some people, getting and not getting into RI is like life and death...or perhaps even more serious than that! :siao:[/quote]Why you only mention RI? Why not HCI? Or NUSH? Or any other schools?? :scratchhead: :siao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013365https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013365Sun, 02 Jun 2013 03:36:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 21:18:44 GMT]]>

Nebbermind:
2ppaamm:

[quote=\"litmuspaper\"]Don't be too stress. Life is more than just education. Be cool 🙂


Er... Life is more than PSLE, you mean, or Life is more than School, or Life is more than Exams. These exams are a small, small part of education, that is. So why take it so seriously. Hehe... :skeptical:

For some people, getting and not getting into RI is like life and death...or perhaps even more serious than that! :siao:[/quote]Really ah? Don't know what to say leh... RI is my alma mater leh, so a little biased. But ACS is just as good mah, and I have friends who swear by HCI, and then, another bunch who love SJI, and another who says St Andrews, and my dear friend says Naval Base is the best, though the school is already defunct.

Girls how ah? Funny they fight to get into RI, and then, when we grow up (like me) I tell people I was from Raffles, they go like 😆 so square, or :pokeeye: . We are all people, school is just school lor. Every school has its good points, just enjoy! :imcool:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013273https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013273Sat, 01 Jun 2013 21:18:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 18:17:38 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
litmuspaper:

Don't be too stress. Life is more than just education. Be cool 🙂


Er... Life is more than PSLE, you mean, or Life is more than School, or Life is more than Exams. These exams are a small, small part of education, that is. So why take it so seriously. Hehe... :skeptical:

For some people, getting and not getting into RI is like life and death...or perhaps even more serious than that! :siao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013269https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013269Sat, 01 Jun 2013 18:17:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 18:08:10 GMT]]>

litmuspaper:
Don't be too stress. Life is more than just education. Be cool 🙂

Er... Life is more than PSLE, you mean, or Life is more than School, or Life is more than Exams. These exams are a small, small part of education, that is. So why take it so seriously. Hehe... :skeptical:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013268https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013268Sat, 01 Jun 2013 18:08:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:41:44 GMT]]>agreed.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013233https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013233Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:41:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 14:01:59 GMT]]>Could be first child in P6 now… a stressful year for both child and parents.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013191https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013191Sat, 01 Jun 2013 14:01:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 11:04:50 GMT]]>Looks like this forummer asked this question in many threads. Wonder why... 🤷

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013134https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1013134Sat, 01 Jun 2013 11:04:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Fri, 31 May 2013 07:09:40 GMT]]>

Nebbermind:
mummy of three:

I find it worrying that children are committing suicide because of studying.

If they cannot handle school work then how they go out and work in the future?

How is this related to GEP? :scratchhead:

I was wondering about that too.. 🤷 :scratchhead:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1012753https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1012753Fri, 31 May 2013 07:09:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Fri, 31 May 2013 06:44:07 GMT]]>

mummy of three:
I find it worrying that children are committing suicide because of studying.

If they cannot handle school work then how they go out and work in the future?
How is this related to GEP? :scratchhead:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1012742https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1012742Fri, 31 May 2013 06:44:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:21:14 GMT]]>

Lilac66:
2ppaamm:


How does this relate to GEP being necessary? 🤷

It's also a Go Eliminate Pimples thread mah. 🦆

So we're not totally off-topic 😉

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Seems that those who get into GEP will have to Go Eliminate Pimples. Stressful programme indeed!!!! 😓

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/887075https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/887075Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:21:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is GEP really necessary? on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:57:17 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
Nebbermind:

Fringe...that's the problem with my boy...refuse to comb or gel...oily fringe like a roti prata over his forehead...when u pull the hair back...really disgusting spots! :frustrated:


Same for my son, that's why that 100 scrubs. Don't worry, won't become botak, I've done that for a couple of years and my own hairfall has reduced significantly. In fact, this stimulates hair growth. 😆 Try and follow the simple steps for cleaning face or the one Dnls_mum uses. They will work as long as he does it diligently.

How does this relate to GEP being necessary? 🤷

:rotflmao: :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/887056https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/887056Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:57:17 GMT