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The Gifted Education Programme or GEP started about 40 years ago when I was in school. It was a good move then by the Ministry of Education to select high-ability students and place them in a suitable environment to stretch their potential. Back then, students just went for GEP tests as instructed, with absolutely no preparation or expectations. Today, however, there are numerous GEP enrichment classes offered in the market, with some even catering for toddlers. Some parents have started sending their children for special Olympiad training, to provide them with an advantage in maths or science competitions. And there are also special holiday camps and public speaking classes to help students prepare for GEP selection and interviews. These parents see the GEP as a ticket for their children to be transferred to the nine GEP schools. This has led to a situation where children from lower income families can no longer compete on a level playing field. I applaud the Government for making this bold move to update the GEP system. Hopefully, this will allow high-ability children to mingle with other classmates.