Leader -- A gift of a programme

Overall, I am in favour of the Gifted Education Programme. It is an academic programme designed for the top 1% of pupils, identified in two rounds of tests at the end of Primary 3. Starting development of talents from young is very effective since the fact that if we realize our strengths and weaknesses earlier, we can more efficiently improve on or overcome each of them. All of us have a commitment to ensure that the potential of each Singaporean is recognized, nurtured and developed. It was recognized that there are pupils who are intellectually gifted and that there should be provisions to meet their needs.

The programme is a model of excellence in the education of the intellectually gifted. This will be achieved by providing professional expertise and exemplary resources to develop intellectual rigour, humane values and creativity in gifted youths to prepare them for responsible leadership and service to country and society. It also strives to nurture gifted individuals to their full potential for the fulfillment of self and the betterment of society. This is very crucial for a country like Singapore as her only resource is no other than human resource. Considerations of such factors, GEP is definitely beneficial to both individuals and society.

Going through the programme, some parents and pupils have argued that the stress is too great. In our lives, we always have to sacrifice for benefits. “No pain, no gain” is a very valid role model for us to push ourselves and put in our utmost efforts to achieve more and not complain about the tough journey. Sometimes the GEP students do not perform as well as those in mainstream and hence been interpreted as an ineffective programme. However, I think that such situations are very common and should not be blindly blaming the source rather than the user. For example, when we are bowling and have multiple gutters, you don't blame the bowling ball or the pins for being useless but reflect on the way you bowl.

The GEP and its students have been criticized by many, the programme as elitist. The issue of the GEP has been raised many times in Singapore, both online in blogs and in the mainstream media. GEP students are sometimes prejudiced against and insulted by others and portrayed as arrogant nerds and academic snobs who spend large amounts of time studying and have no interests in sports or other non-academic activities. While this perception may ring true for some GEP individuals, as a blanket stereotype of all GEP students it does not hold true as there definitely have been and still are GEP students who have been and are good in sports and have taken part in numerous sports competitions, being “cool” and stuff like that to be respected and admired. I think that they are just jealous of GEP students and just pouring out hurtful words that they don’t actually mean it at times. This is a form of verbal bullying and should be totally prohibited.

The GEP is often criticized to be elitist too. This might be true to some where GEP students prefer to mix with their own and despises non-GEP students. At these moments, it is the fault of the GEP individuals and it is against one’s moral values to do so. Equality and unity is always emphasized in schools and the whole nation itself. To encourage greater integration between GEP and mainstream students and combat elitism and encourage socialization, more lessons and activities are conducted with both GEP and non-GEP students.

All in all, such social problems should not deter us from developing our talents and it is encouraged to be promoted further.