More primary school students are expected to join the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) as the Ministry of Education (MOE) of Singapore implements a refreshed approach in 2027.
MOE announced on Tuesday a key change under the current GEP where students will take the advanced modules based on their “strengths in specific domains” in English, Mathematics or Science, breaking away from the selection of students based on “strengths across multiple domains.”
Students will also be required to take the “interdisciplinary modules” to develop the students’ connections across different subjects which will be conducted during the school holidays.
MOE said the advanced modules are “designed to stretch students intellectually and further cultivate their curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking“ as well as “develop students’ psychosocial skills.”
“Around 10% of the cohort will be able to benefit, up from around 7% today,” it added.
Another change is that primary school students who are selected for the GEP will attend the advanced modules in designated centres near their primary schools starting from next year.
“These students will no longer need to transfer to one of the nine primary schools that currently host the GEP,” MOE stated.
15 primary schools will serve as designated centres to conduct the advanced modules which are currently under review by MOE.
MOE has also announced changes in the identification process of GEP.
“This process involves a standardised one-stage identification exercise in Primary 3, replacing the previous two-stage screening and selection tests for the GEP.”
Schools can also identify students for the GEP using “additional sources of school-based information” such as the teachers’ observations and the students’ work.
Students in Primary 4 and 5 will have a shot at GEP at the end of each semester.
Changes in Post-Secondary Pathways
Post-secondary pathways will be streamlined under a common Post-Secondary Admissions Exercise (PSE) based on a common certification for all secondary students.
“The new PSE will replace the various separate admission exercises for admission to Post-Secondary Education Institutions,” MOE said.
A common Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination will be introduced from 2027 which will determine the next education pathway for students under the common PSE.
The new PSE application portal will kick off in mid-January 2028 where submission of applications will be opened for a 6-day period.
Students will have up to 12 choices.
A posting tie-breaker will be used to determine the next education pathway for students who have the same net aggregate scores based on “the following order: citizenship, choice order, gross aggregate score, and computerised balloting.”
Private students can participate in the PSE using their GCE O-Level results.
