A Gift Of A Programme

Ever since the incorporation of the Gifted Education Programme (GEP for short) into Singapore's pristine education system, many individuals - parents of non-GEP students and critical observers alike - have objected to the existence of such an elitist programme. Segregation and elitism as salient points have led the way for a wave of controversy to hit the Ministry of Education full-force. Amidst rapid, critical re-engineering done to the Education structure, the GEProgramme has retained its firm position within the education system, never falling in prestige nor dimishing in the eyes of the beholder.

Controversial ideas revolving round the shady idea of the GEP breeding elitism and segregation holds firm within social circles and community itself. By 'extracting' the cream of the crop out of the large population of students and placing them in a specially-designated group for these future 'elites', with the GEP's ultimate goal of nurturing leaders of tomorrow in specialized sectors, spearheading Singaporean technology and commerce on the global stage. This clearly reveals the government's dubious and selfish underlying intention behind the grand facade of promotion of the GEP for the 'enhanced development' of talented students' minds. Although undeniable the benefits students recieve, public opinion is generally tilted towards the government for credit, with unending propaganda machines subconsciously convincing masses that the GEP is the right thing, the GEP must exist for opportunity to reach the skies, the GEP is the premier programme for any students that want to make it out in that competitive, lethal world of politics, commerce and industry. Essentials, when grasped young, are cultivated into unique traits inculcated naturally into one's work performance, giving the GEP-experienced proffesional the extra edge over those deprived of such an opportunity to grab such vital, useful skills and knowledge.

The idea of being 'special' for those in the GEP runs rampant in today's competitive society. The basic building blocks of life for Singaporeans in today's modern times, with credit crunches and technological advances sending prices of new products soaring sky-high, is almost completely materialistic, through and through. Let's put it in another way. In today's modern society where technology dictates the future, materialistic assets forms most Singaporeans' worlds. Happiness evolves into an expression judged by yardsticks set in place by materialistic factors such as money. Simply extrinsic. Segregation is a likely by-product of such a programme, with elitism forming due to the mixure of ideology and perception. With a cluster of higher-ability students, who wouldn't think of this group being 'special'? This is directly percieved by the GEP students to be that they were 'special', a unique cut above the rest, with this priviledge taken for granted. What we should truly work towards is the clear, distinct identification of GEP being a programme that provides and nurtures such talent, not somewhere which proves that you are a talent. A fine margin, a world of difference.

Acting Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam feted them at the Gifted Education Conference on Thursday, speaking of the scheme's goal of creating individuals who have big hearts, and are keen to use their talents and energies for the betterment of society. Acting Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam spoke at the Gifted Education Conference, speaking of the scheme's goal of creating individuals who have big hearts, and are keen to use their talents and energies for the betterment of society. This clearly delineates the government's main ambition for this programme to churn out useful pawns to further Singaporean ideals. Singaporean ideals, as we put it, is beneficial to all of us - we are Singaporeans, no? However, many fail to look beyond this superficial skim of the surface. These ideals are fixed in perfect position by political ideologies and propaganda influence, changing our perception of matters and inclination to things on a large scale. Thus our ideals follow suit. What are our true ideals then? Are we supposed to swallow this dicatorship of our lives unknowingly? What is freedom? Do we actually know what it means, in this constructed world where we are conditioned to feel appeased in, with economic success firmly keeping this ideology in place?