Cabinet has approved Gifted and Talented Education policy – MoE
Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) programme aimed at providing enhanced and accelerated education for gifted and talented children, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Adutwum has said.
The Gifted and Talented Education programme, the Education Minister said will cater for learners with exceptional abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishments, requiring special provisions to meet their educational needs.
“GATE is expected to 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,” he told the media.
Speaking at the launch of the 60th anniversary of the Accra College of Education he said GATE approval is to rank Ghana 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.
Dr Yaw Osei 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 a Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe constituency said Ghana’s GATE programme would cover kindergarten, primary, Junior High and Senior High Schools, but would be implemented in phases.
“At the initial phase, some schools, mostly the new schools at the JHS and SHS level, will be designated GATE schools and enrol 100 per cent GATE students from around the country,” he said speaking at the 60th-anniversary event.
The Minister in Charge of Education indicated that GATE-designated schools would be managed by GATE Services, an autonomous body that will be put in place for that purpose.
“Full-fledged Kindergarten to secondary schools will be constructed in all regional capitals and designated GATE Schools. The first such school is due to begin in Accra,” the Education Minister stated.
He 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).
Adutwum 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).
The approval of GATE’s policy comes after the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, submitted a proposal for Gifted and Talented Education education prioritised in most educational systems worldwide to address Ghana’s gap.
The Bosomtwe Member of Parliament emphasised that the implementation of GATE will challenge these children beyond the ordinary bring out their best and enable Ghana to leapfrog inequality and economic development.
Rather than establishing a separate agency, the GES and TVET Service will support the implementation of the GATE to ensure efficient use of public funds and avoid confusion among agencies and the populace.
