Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan, Pioneer SMC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) extends into secondary school; and (b) whether there will be a review of the GEP to consider if it is still relevant and useful in schools today.
Response
1. The Gifted Education Programme (GEP) is a three-year programme that is offered at the primary level, for identified Primary 4 to Primary 6 students. At the secondary level, MOE continues to stretch our high ability students through diverse programmes that cater to different interests and needs. These include the School-Based Gifted Education Programme, which replaced the GEP, as well as centrally-organised programmes such as the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Programme and the Science Research Programme.
2. The GEP, like other MOE programmes, is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that we continue to meet the developmental needs of our students and prepare them well for the future. For example, as part of a recent review, MOE introduced mixed form classes to all primary GEP centres so that GEP students have common educational experiences with other peers in the school.