Abu Dhab: Nine public schools across the emirate of Abu Dhabi have launched a pilot programme to identify and educate gifted and talented pupils, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced in a statement sent today (August 23).
The selected schools have been chosen so that the pilot can be undertaken in the capital, Al Ain and the Western Region during the 2016-2017 academic year for both male and female pupils, the statement from the education sector regulator said.
Officials told Gulf News that about 10 per cent of the student population in Grades 4, 6 and 10 could be selected to participate in the programme, which would total about 150 pupils. The pupils will then be clustered for group projects that can challenge them, or be able to undertake extension projects based on their specific needs and interests.
The Adec statement said that such an initiative is necessary to support the development of talent into skills that enhance knowledge-based economies. In addition, research shows that gifted pupils must have access to appropriate programming and support in order to prevent them from underachieving.
For the purposes of clear evaluation, the pilot will focus on pupils’ academic prowess rather than talent in sport or art. Pupils will be chosen based on their performance in the classroom over the last two years and achievement tests, as well as psychological screenings.
A two-day training workshop has also been organised by Adec for faculty heads and teachers of the nine schools. Specific resources to support the education of gifted pupils will also be sent to schools, Adec said.
