The Gifted Education Programme (GEP) is a highly selective academic programme in Singapore, initially designed to identify the top 0.25% (later expanded to 0.5%, then 1%) of students from each academic year with outstanding intelligence. The tests are based on verbal, mathematical and spatial abilities (as determined by two rounds of tests). Those students will then be transferred from normal classes to the GEP classes, if those students are in a school without those classes, they will be transferred to another school with those classes. Those classes will bring the students to higher levels (such as higher mother tongue, complex mathematics, intensive science and a wider expand of English knowledge/facts). The programme has now been expanded to 1% of the students from each academic year.
History
The Gifted Education Programme was first implemented in Singapore in 1984 amid some public concern. It was initiated by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in line with its policy under the New Education System to allow each student to learn at his/her own pace. The MOE has a commitment to ensure that the potential of each pupil is recognised, nurtured and developed. It was recognised that there are pupils who are intellectually gifted and that there should be extra help to reach their potential. Beginning with two primary schools and two secondary schools it has now expanded to nine primary schools (as in October 2004) and was at its peak before the introduction of the Integrated Programme (IP).
Primary Schools offering GEP
As of 2018, nine primary schools offer 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
- Saint Hilda's Primary School
- Tao Nan School
Secondary Schools that are offering GEP, or SBGE
The Gifted Education Programme came to a close in secondary schools in 2008, now in its place, School-based Gifted Education (SBGE). All of the secondary schools that offer the SBGE are IP schools. There are generally two classes per cohort/year/level for SBGE students, but sometimes there may only be one class per cohort, depending on the size.
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
- Dunman High School
- Hwa Chong Institution
- Nanyang Girls' High School
- NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
- Raffles Girls School
- Raffles Institution