Primary Three Screening: Gifted Education Programme
Introduction
The Gifted Education Programme was first introduced in 1981 by the then-Minister of State for Education. The Gifted Education Programme was officially rolled out in 1984 to two primary schools, Rosyth School and Raffles Girls Primary School, and two secondary schools, Raffles Institution and Raffles Girls School (Secondary).
Today, the Gifted Education Programme has grown in size and has a total of 9 primary Gifted Education centres, catering to the needs of the intellectually gifted pupils. Gifted Education Programme runs from Primary 4 to Secondary 4, catering to pupils with exceptional intellectual ability.
Rationale of Gifted Education
The Gifted Education Programme aims to cater to the intellectually gifted. The Ministry of Education firmly believes in allowing students to learn a pace that is most suitable for him or her. It would not be wise to expect all pupils to be learning at the same pace and giving all pupils identical education as undoubtedly, pupils would have varying capabilities.
Hence, in line with this vision of the Ministry of Education, Gifted Education was introduced so as to allow for the intellectually brightest to have a more vigorous curriculum, allowing them to explore their academic pursuits to greater depths. Should the gifted pupil remain in a mainstream class, his giftedness may eventually be worn down due to the relatively slow-moving pace of studies. The Gifted Education Programme hence aims to develop the gifted pupils to their best, not allowing talents to go to waste.
The Gifted Education Programme was set up also due to a socio-political factor. As Singapore is a small country, local talents are considerably rarer as compared with other large countries. Therefore, it would be in Singapore’s favour to groom our local talents and nurture them to eventually take over the helms of governing our nation.
Aims of Gifted Education
The Gifted Education Programme has several aims, including basic goals of developing intellectual depth, high level thinking and creativity of the gifted pupils. The Gifted Education Programme also aims to groom pupils to aim for excellence.
Besides that, as Gifted Education is ultimately set up to prepare our talented people for the future, there is a need to develop strong national identity and pride, moral and civic values and effective leadership skills.
Hence, the Gifted Education Programme aims to develop the gifted pupil not only academically and intellectually, but also character-wise, ensuring that all pupils under its wings are well-rounded pupils.
Gifted Education Centres (Primary Schools)
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
St. Hilda’s Primary School
Tao Nan School
Of these primary schools that offer Gifted Education, Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) and Catholic High School (Primary) are boys’ school while Raffles Girls’ Primary School is a girls’ school. The remaining Gifted Education Centres are co-ed schools that cater to both girls and boys.
