Cabinet has approved the implementation of a Gifted and Talented Education System (GATE) programme in selected schools to enhance the potential of students towards economic development.
The GATE programme will cater for learners with exceptional abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishments, who require special provisions to meet their educational needs.
It will identify and support children who exhibit exceptional achievements or potential in areas such as high-level intelligence, specific aptitudes, creative thinking, superior talent in visual and performing arts, natural leadership and outstanding performance in athletics or mechanical skills.
The move is to rank the country among others such as the United States of America (USA), Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore that have benefited tremendously through innovations and inventions brought about by their Gifted and Talented students.
The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, who disclosed this on the sidelines of the launch of the 60th anniversary of the Accra College of Education recently, explained that there were thousands of gifted and talented children in the country who needed support to help transform the economy.
HUGE TALENTS
Dr Adutwum stated that the country had between 513,098 and 855,163 children in the pre-tertiary education system (six to 10 per cent) who were Gifted and Talented and therefore qualified for GATE Services.
The Minister of Education, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region, said Ghana’s GATE programme would cover kindergarten, primary, junior high and senior high schools, but would be implemented in phases.
Dr Adutwum indicated that GATE-designated schools would be managed by GATE Services, an autonomous body that will be put in place for that purpose.
The education minister said the pathways to be established at the SHS level would include Environmental Science, Aeronautics, Aerospace and Aviation; Engineering and Computer Science; and Manufacturing (Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Business).
He mentioned the rest as Agricultural Science (Leadership in Agricultural Science, Animal & Crop Science, Agricultural Mechanics), Biomedical Sciences (Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions), Global Studies (Legal System, Environment, Financial Sphere) and Creative Arts (Flexibility, Application).
Dr Adutwum added that the Ghanaian approach would commence with the new schools to be designated as GATE Schools and eventually include other phases in the general school system.
BACKGROUND
Research shows that the Gifted and Talented are mainly responsible for innovation worldwide, including innovations in the fourth industrial revolution and that innovation drives social and economic prosperity.
When rolled out, the second phase will cover students who qualify as GATE students but do not find space in GATE-designated schools.
They will be enrolled on the GATE programmes to be implemented at their current schools, with the support of GATE Services, to ensure these students receive the same enriching experiences as their counterparts in the GATE-designated schools.
Students who are not designated Gifted/Talented will benefit from the enhanced general curriculum that will focus more on STEM and 21st Century Skills.
Despite being a key priority in most educational systems worldwide, GATE has not been introduced in Ghana’s publicly funded or private education sector.
The Education Strategic Plan (2018-2030) also failed to highlight GATE education as a key strategy for socio-economic transformation.
This oversight risks neglecting high-ability children, who are likely to become future scientists, inventors, poets and entrepreneurs.
