I THANK Mr George Lim Heng Chye, Ms Aileen Tan Ai Ker and Ms Maria Loh Mun Foong for their recent letters on the Gifted Education Programme (GEP).

The GEP was piloted in 1984 with 200 pupils and has gradually increased to an annual intake of about 500 since 1999. The oldest graduates of the GEP turn 36 this year, and about 1,000 are aged 30 and above.

While it is too early to know the lifelong impact of the GEP on these students and society, we do have some sense of how they have done so far.

For example, in 2005, the Ministry of Education (MOE) surveyed six GEP cohorts and found that GEP graduates had done well. Not only had GEP graduates excelled academically (as many would expect them to), they were serving in diverse fields in both the public and private sectors - academia, education, engineering, finance, law and medicine.

Some graduates are already holding leadership positions in the public service, including two who are school principals.

A sample survey also gave some insights into how our GEP graduates have continued to contribute to society. More than one in five GEP graduates in their mid-20s was involved in community work, a higher proportion than for other graduates of comparable intellectual ability. GEP graduates in their late teens also put in more hours of community service than the school requirement of six hours.

GEP graduates have received various international and local awards in recognition of their contributions in science and technology, humanitarian work, and sports. For example, Dr Tan Min Han from the class of 1993 was conferred the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology Merit Award for his groundbreaking cancer research.

Ms Valerie Teo from the 1998 intake was awarded the Singapore National Olympic Council's Sportsgirl of the Year (2003) and went on to become the world youth tenpin bowling champion in 2006.

Ms Vinothini Apok was named the pioneer recipient of the Youth Environmental Award given out by HSBC and the National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Council. She was also the youngest in the world to be elected to serve in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Youth Advisory Council.

We aim to nurture our GEP students holistically, and to develop in them the desire to contribute to society.

MOE is continuing to improve and enhance the programme, to ensure that our GEP students interact regularly with their peers, develop a strong social conscience and a commitment to serve the community.

Sum Chee Wah (Ms)
Director
Education Programmes Division
Ministry of Education

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