In this follow-up to our first instalment of Frequently Asked Questions about the GEP (FAQs on GEP), we explore several commonly asked questions by parents whose children have been selected for the GEP.
Frequently Asked Questions about the GEP
1. How is the GEP Curriculum different from the mainstream programme?
The Ministry of Education (MOE) Gifted Education Branch sets the GEP curriculum for all nine GEP schools. Students in all nine schools take the same tests and assessments.
The GEP curriculum will extend the basic PSLE syllabus in depth and breadth. The emphasis is on nurturing higher-level thinking skills and inculcating a spirit of independent inquiry. For instance, for English, students will learn about poetry and try their hand at choral reading. For Science, students will be exposed to secondary concepts and get more opportunities to perform experiments. For mathematics, students will learn how to derive formulae/heuristics to solve non-routine problems.
In addition, students will have to fulfil an Individualised Study Option in Primary 5, where they undertake a project under the mentorship of their teachers.
2. Besides the differentiated day-to-day curriculum, are there any other differences in how GEP students are schooled?
The GEP class size usually ranges in the mid-twenties. The better teacher-student ratio allows teachers to cater more to individual learning needs and propensities. Furthermore, as GEP teachers specialise in a single subject, they are able to impart greater depth and breadth to their lessons effectively.
Outside of regular classroom hours, GEP students are encouraged to participate in competitions, enrol in masterclasses, and attend workshops that will broaden their horizons and deepen their interest in various domains.
3. Do GEP students still have to take the PSLE at the end of Primary 6?
While GEP students across the nine schools will take different exams from mainstream students from Primary 4 to Primary 6, they will still take the same PSLE at the end of Primary 6.
4. How will the GEP benefit my child?
For students with the intrinsic motivation for accumulating knowledge and accelerated learning capacity, the GEP will stretch their abilities and satiate their appetite for learning. They will find school lessons engaging and challenging and be stimulated to develop deeper knowledge in their areas of interest.
As students are trained to think independently and express their views openly, GEP graduates tend to develop a healthy degree of confidence and eloquence.
5. What are the education pathways available to GEP graduates?
The educational pathways available to GEP graduates are similar to those available to mainstream students. Based on their PSLE results, students can enrol in either the Integrated Programme (IP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or ‘O’ Level tracks in secondary school.
Another option for students who are gifted in a particular domain (academic or otherwise) is to apply for direct entry to a secondary school through the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise before the PSLE.
Do you have any questions about the GEP that you’d like addressed? Leave a message in the comments or make an appointment to see our GEP tutors by emailing us at askjoy@joyouslearning.com.sg.
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