I READ with interest last Saturday's letter by Ms Jessie Tan, 'Successful Gifted Education candidates: Clever or acutely coached?'. Every assessment test is bound to have its limitations. It is possible to set standards and guidelines, but how students prepare for the test is beyond anyone's control.

A child should always be in a learning environment suitable to his learning pace, to stimulate interest and learning. What is the use of preparing extensively for the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) entrance examination, only to be stressed out by the curriculum of the GEP when accepted? In this society, do we focus too much on getting ahead of others rather than achieving the aim of education?

It is pointless for parents to be stressed out by how other parents prepare their child for tests and exams. Every family has different financial ability. I agree that well-off parents can pay exorbitant fees to get their child ahead of others. That is only one end of society. How about children from low-income families? Does this mean they are on the losing end? I do not think so. A child's true capabilities prevail as he climbs the education ladder.

The only thing parents should be concerned about is whether their child is making progress and enjoying the learning process at the same time.

Tan Shih Jia (Miss)

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 25 Nov, 2008.