FORUM LETTER: Paper chase mentality has to change

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The debate over the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) is something worth pondering over, and for the Education Ministry to consider if a review is needed.

It is not surprising that GEP pupils are attending tuition classes as the "tuition syndrome" is so deeply entrenched in the minds of parents ("Poser: Should gifted pupils go for tuition?"; last Thursday).

Two decades ago, only pupils who were weak in their studies required tuition.

Over the years, with an increase in affluence and greater pressure to excel in academics, most children, gifted or otherwise, have jumped onto the tuition bandwagon.

The tuition syndrome is closely tied to meritocracy. Parents want their children to top their cohort to get a place in an "elite" secondary school or junior college.

Yet, if GEP pupils are already among the top 1 per cent of their cohort, why is tuition still necessary?

... if GEP pupils are already among the top 1 per cent of their cohort, why is tuition still necessary?

... if GEP pupils are already among the top 1 per cent of their cohort, why is tuition still necessary?

The answer lies in parents' fear that their children may not be able to maintain their status as top pupils.

Many GEP pupils previously attended GEP preparatory classes, some as early as when they were in pre-school.

Sending children for such classes defeats the purpose of having the GEP, as pupils should qualify based on only their natural talents.

Attending too many GEP preparatory classes seems like "forced talent development" - many may qualify for the programme not because they are naturally talented, but because they are drilled into doing well for the GEP tests.

Perhaps a poll could be done to find out the proportion of GEP pupils who attended such classes.

In the extreme case, some GEP pupils could do badly in the Primary School Leaving Examination as they were drilled into becoming "gifted" when they are not. They would struggle in the programme and suffer from poor self-esteem.

If the paper chase mentality does not change, then the new initiatives by the Education Ministry to steer the focus away from academic excellence would not take flight. Parents need to acknowledge that every child is gifted in his own way, and it is not necessary to be in the GEP to succeed in life.

Vivien Tan (Ms)