NEWS

Give to the gifted
BY Joey KWOK Wai-Ying

A recent government call for developing an academy for talented children has prompted some educators to urge for more accommodating if not relaxed definitions of being gifted.

The call for such an academy was carried in Chief Executive Donald Tsang's last Policy Address, and experts cautioned against what they called misclassifications and misconceptions of the exceptionally gifted.

"Many teachers may misunderstand that the talented are smart all-round," said Mr Chan Pui-tin, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (Gifted Education) of the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB), "when such students may not perform well academically."

And IQ tests were not enough to spot the gifted. "Since there are so many IQ exercises published, students may be drilled to accomplish the test," said Mr Chan. "On the other hand, as the test usually lasts for more than an hour, some students could become bored or impatient easily. That inevitably affects the result of their IQ scores."

Smarter-than-usual children could also suffer from more drastic mood swings.

 "Most such young talents are perfectionists who have high expectations of themselves and others," said Chan Lai Kwan, who is with the Chinese University's Programs for the Gifted and Talent Center for University and School Partnership.

"That would lead to frustration sometimes." Ms Chan has been dealing with the psychological side of gifted students for more than ten years.

Dr Lau Sing, Director of the Centre for Child Development and Chair Professor of Education Studies at Baptist University, also raised concerns over the methodology of determining the exceptionally gifted. His centre is currently working with the Chinese University to establish various evaluating systems.

The specialists noted the emotion problems on the part of the talented were often caused by their parents, who would misunderstand them and tend to educate them improperly.

More understanding was necessary, and the parents should look at things from the viewpoints of their children, Ms Chan suggested.

She also advised teachers to be more open-minded, as gifted students would often give answers from diverse angles. "Teachers should be more tolerant with these students as they may not be as hardworking as the others, because they probably don't need to work hard," she said.

Kei Chi-kung, a gifted student and President of the Hong Kong Federation of the Exceptionally Gifted, suggested the SAR Government should expand the aspects of courses after the setting up of the Academy.

"Up to now, EMB only provides advanced classes on leadership, mathematics, physics and humanities," said the form-seven student. "The scheme is too academic and lacks psychological support for the gifted students," Mr Kei said.