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Sherrlene Uy

Teacher - English and Research, Glendale School, Inc. (QC, Phil)

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What are the challenges that gifted and creative individuals face at present?

Hi everyone! I am working on a research about the gifted and creative individuals. I'd like to know what are the challenges that the gifted and creative people experience in your country. Share your thoughts please :) Thanks!

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  • Sam Austin

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    Feb 25 2013: I'd say for gifted - its just not valued in our education system. Teachers like clever students, so they don't have to spend time teaching them, but not too clever because then they might demand to be taught! At school everyone is taught at the same speed - and because of the 'no child gets left behind' scheme, that level is to the slowest people in that class, no one is allowed to learn ahead - in fact independent learning is barely taught at all so pupils are stuck at the teachers pace. At older ages we have some levels - but the testing to get in a level is terrible. Every year for science I would be put in a low group, then the teacher would realise I knew the whole sylabus and move me up, we would be tested again and I would start the next year in a low group (I think because I was diagnosed with a learning disability). For maths I was barely taught anything new, classes consisted of worksheets because no one seemed to understand algebra but me, everytime you finish one worksheet you are given another equally easy worksheet. Utter boredom.

    For creativity - its just not valued. Creative writing barely comes up, and when it does we are given no tips apart from spelling until 15/16, when we might if lucky do one creative writing piece as part of gcses and get feedback, or we might not get this opportunity until a-level if we choose the right subjects. Art is another thing - no tips until secondary school age. Then if you have a good teacher the class as a whole might get some instruction - but no individual because of large class sizes and the tendency of everyone to use art as a way to muck about. There is also little room for development even in afterschool art club (basically used as babysitting rather than instruction). I learnt a little from art class, but most from self teaching. I joined a creative writing club as well - but again, no guidance. Everything we wrote was 'brilliant' which is annoying because that is terrible feedback.

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