The GEP Conundrum

* long post warning! *

I hesitated about writing this, as Big Bee reads my blog and she had always warned me not to write much about her! 

But being in primary 3 this year would mean one key thing to many parents: the GEP screening test. 

In recent years, I had seen many tuition and enrichment centres proclaiming their GEP preparation programmes are the best in town. I was aghast when I saw these advertisements. I always believe that being gifted intellectually cannot be artificially augmented - well, in some ways, as parents, we could help to nurture that love for learning, that ability to absorb information and knowledge in our kids. But I always believe that giftedness in academic ability is a trait that cannot and shouldn't be boosted by external means like tuition. 

Which was why I remained cool as a cucumber when Big Bee told me she sat for her GEP screening test a few months back. When she received a letter inviting her to the second round of GEP testing, together with about 30 or so kids from her school, I was pleasantly surprised but specifically emphasised to Big Bee that she should not practise or revise anything, as these would be totally irrelevant to the tests. 

In the first place, I am also not a strong advocate that giftedness should be tested through a series of pen and paper tests. I thought consistent school assessments as well as leadership qualities in class and school are far more accurate instruments of analysis. 

But still, when things like being shortlisted to the second round happened, there would always be well-concealed hopes and expectations - not just in me, but also very apparent in Miss Perfectionist. She was the one packing her pencil case on the days of testing, and she was the one who kept reminding blur Mummy about the dates of testing. 

Sometimes, I hate to see such expectations arising from my child, just in case they are sorely disappointed. But I guess these are life lessons for them. 

And true enough - she did not make it to the top 1% of the supposedly elite group. There were only 10 kids from her school who were selected into the GEP programme, and 7 of them were from her class. One of her best friends, A, was selected and would be transferring to a school with GEP programme. 

I could tell that Big Bee was a little disappointed, although she tried to hide it underneath her steely facade of bravado. But I had always been reassuring her that academic excellence is but a tiny part of life - a mere step in the long spiralling staircase of life. There are many more traits that make up a successful person. 

She got over this disappointment very quickly (I think). 

Her primary school also has this exclusive gifted class that I had always been eyeing out of the corner of my consciousness with curiosity - but never hope. The kids from this class would comprise of the selected GEP students (if they remain in the same school) as well as the other students who fared well in the GEP second round, but perhaps not good enough to be selected by our all-important MOE. 

The curriculum of this gifted class is similar to the other MOE-appointed GEP programmes, and was crafted in consultation with an American expert on gifted education. More importantly (for me), I was impressed by this class because the curriculum goes beyond the routine and unthinking school curriculum. On the contrary, their pedagogy teaches them to learn, nurtures them to think critically, encourages them to philosophize and embolden them with the ability to speak out and discuss issues in class. 

I was impressed. Because I had been disillusioned by Singapore's primary, secondary and even pre-university education system where academic success means exams success and little or no discussions in class. This was in stark contrast to the Bees' preschool where speaking out and expressing themselves are second nature to the kids. 

I could tell Big Bee harbours deep-seated hopes of entering this revered class. Yet I did not want to mention anything to her because I don't want her to be disappointed a second time round. 

2 nights ago, we went to collect our letters, and we saw a letter with her school logo on it. She looked at me with big round eyes and I could just feel her bated breath! 

I opened the letter swiftly, away from her, with the main objective of shielding any vile information that might strike more daggers into her little disappointed heart. 

To my great surprise and joy, she was selected into this gifted class! She was ecstatic and elated. Almost delirious with joy. There is an option to opt out - and I asked her to decide for herself without any pressure from me or Hubby. She wanted in. 

For me, I was excited because I love their enriching curriculum and pedagogy. I hope these will propel her to be a participative learner in school next year. 

More importantly - I am just grateful that her dreams had come true and that she is happy :)