Forum: Offer higher-ability students expanded access to Olympiads
There have been many views for and against the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) since its revamp was announced (
- by autobot
- Sept. 3, 2024
- Source article
Publisher object (23)
There have been many views for and against the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) since its revamp was announced ( , Sept 1). Giving more people access to the GEP curriculum is commendable. However, the proposed measure of having every school dedicate resources for running an in-house programme for higher-ability learners stretches the already overburdened teaching force. The Ministry of Education can instead offer expanded access to the various Olympiads such as mathematics, science and languages. This acknowledges the ministry’s direction regarding individual strengths. Students who excel in specific subjects can opt in for additional Olympiads. They do not need to excel in all subjects and can be trained only for the subject Olympiad in which they enrol. These Olympiad training sessions can be offered on weekdays after school hours or weekends as enrichment classes at centralised training locations independent of any school. This will also let these high-ability learners mix socially with others. A dedicated teaching force with the relevant skills and knowledge in gifted education and pedagogy can be the primary tutors. Master teachers from the Academy of Singapore Teachers (AST) are already experts in their subject fields and it would be logical for them to form the backbone that supports this expanded Olympiad programme. These training centres can be purposed as centres of innovation where cutting-edge pedagogies, assessment and curriculum design can be trialled to push the boundaries of teaching and learning. As part of their professional development, school teachers can perhaps arrange lesson observations with AST teachers during these high-ability lessons, and translate best practices into their own primary schools.