NDR 2024: GEP will be revamped to cater to more students, all primary schools to offer high-ability programmes

SINGAPORE: The gifted programme, a curriculum catering to intellectually gifted students, will be overhauled and replaced with a new approach for high-ability learners in all primary schools.
At his first National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 18), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) will be “discontinued in its current form”.
“We will equip the schools to identify their own high-ability learners – so this will benefit more students,” he said. 
“Every primary school will have its own programmes to stretch these students in their areas of strength and interest.” 
Such students will no longer have to transfer to a school offering the GEP, but can continue in their schools and “remain with friends and teachers whom they have bonded with”, Mr Wong said. 
The GEP was introduced in 1984. Students are identified for the programme through a two-stage exercise in Primary 3, and those selected are invited to join from Primary 4. 
The programme takes in about 1 per cent of the cohort, or 400 to 500 students each year. Nine primary schools offer the GEP: Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), Catholic High School (Primary), Henry Park Primary School, Nan Hua Primary School, Nanyang Primary School, Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Rosyth School, St Hilda’s Primary School and Tao Nan School. 
The secondary school version of the GEP was phased out in 2008 after the six-year integrated programme track, which was introduced in 2004, grew in popularity. 
Discontinuing the GEP in its current form is a “significant change”, but this is consistent with the government’s education philosophy, said Mr Wong on Sunday. 
“Every child is different, they come into our school system with different abilities. We take care of all of them, not just the early bloomers and high-ability students, but also those like me, growing up in the heartlands, attending PCF kindergartens and neighbourhood schools,” he added. 
“Whatever the start points, we will help everyone to learn, develop and grow, and realise your full potential.” 
Beyond the school-based programmes, some students may benefit from being stretched further in particular subjects, said Mr Wong. 
“They can come together for after-school enrichment modules in a nearby school, to learn and interact with one another.”
The Ministry of Education will announce more details, he added.
Singapore’s education system is among the best in the world, but it is also competitive and can lead to anxiety, pressure and stress, said the Prime Minister. 
This is why it is important to “refocus” on the objectives of education, he added. “It’s about sparking a joy for learning, and helping every child realise their full potential.” 
To achieve this, the government must support teachers and school leaders, who have “a most challenging job”. 
Singapore has also changed the PSLE scoring system and removed streaming in secondary schools, said Mr Wong. 
“MOE has said ‘every school is a good school’. But not everyone is convinced,” he said, adding that sometimes parents seek his help to appeal to a specific school for their children. 
“I tell them: ‘I will try my best, but even if you can’t get your preferred choice, there are still other good options nearby,’” Mr Wong said. 
“After all, I went to Haig Boys Primary and Tanjong Katong Technical, both schools in my neighbourhood. And I think I turned out okay. But they reply: ‘No, you are the exception. Nowadays going to the right school is very important. So what to do?’” 
Singaporeans have their preferences and considerations where school choices are concerned, he said. “It will not be possible to convince everyone.” 
Some students are more talented in vocational and technical skills, and can apply their abilities better in a practical and hands-on environment. 
The introduction of the ITE Progression Award, applied degrees and the formation of the University of the Arts Singapore show that the government is serious about providing multiple pathways, Mr Wong said. 
“Students will not be forced into predefined moulds that limit their potential.”
He gave the example of Mr Jensen Low, who graduated with a Nitec in baking and joined the Marche chain of restaurants as a team leader. 
He led a team to develop a cooking process for crepes that was eventually adopted by Marche restaurants worldwide, and was promoted to assistant general manager in less than three years. 
The company saw Mr Low’s potential and sent him for further training in Switzerland. He then became director of operations in Canada, and is now back in Singapore as vice-president of food service and operations in Marche’s parent company. 
“I want to see a Singapore that produces many more success stories like Jensen, where we don’t pigeonhole, or typecast people based on their backgrounds or the schools they go to,” said Mr Wong. 
“Where everyone can strive and excel, take pride at what they do, and be recognised for their efforts and work. Together, we can make this happen.”