To support students in participating different programmes to develop their academic and non-academic abilities so as to maximize their potentials and enhance their exposures.

Three-tiered implementation mode

• To strengthen the learning objectives and enhance the learning interest and ability of all students, subject-based enrichment programmes are emphasized in regular classroom at whole-class level.
• Systematic training is provided to a homogeneous group of students in pull-out programmes to cater for the individual needs and ability of different learners.
• Exceptionally gifted students are nominated by teachers in accordance with the EDB's criteria (e.g. extraordinary characteristics/ performances/ abilities in certain areas) and selected by a specialist panel.

1. Selection of gifted students

Selection of students for school-based programmes
The participants should be the top students who give the best performances in particular subjects or areas. High ability students and gifted students in certain subjects and areas may be different from those in others. Criteria would be based on
(a) internal and/or external examinations;
(b) recommendation by subject teachers.

election of students for off-site programmes
The students who will participate in Level Three off-site Programmes should be exceptionally gifted and the following types of selection criteria would be used
(a) internal and/or external examinations;
(b) recommendation by subject teachers and panels;
(c) awards and prizes received by students;

2. Financial Arrangement

For school-based gifted development programmes, financial arrangements would include programme resources, special equipment, apparatus, employment of programme teachers and demonstrators, salaries of support services personnel and funding for activities.
For charged off-site Programmes, nominated students would receive sponsorship from school, the amount to be given will not exceed 80% of the tuition fee.
Financial Resources
(a) Expanded Operation Expenses Block Grant
(b) Diverse Learning Grant for Gifted Education Programme - $7,000 per NSS class per year
(c) Application of Subsidy for Summer/Gifted Programmes

• Subject to the approval of the EDB for application of the related funds.
• Subject to the approval of the Student Affairs Committee and the Academic Committee (Gifted Education Section).

Programmes eligible for consideration:

Gifted education programmes under the DLG context should include:

• all enhancement programmes specially designed and offered by tertiary institutions / non-profit making non-government organisations / academic associations / professional bodies targeted for senior secondary students
• all school-based pull-out programmes offered by individual schools at senior secondary level

Characteristics / criteria of 'gifted programme':

Gifted education programmes should possess the following characteristics:

• with gifted education elements i.e. creativity, higher order thinking skills, personal and social competence and can be readily categorised into either enrichment (breadth), extension (depth) or acceleration (pace)
• with a clearly stated selection mechanism that matches the students with the programmes
• with student products that demonstrate the intended learning outcomes of the programmes

Ambit of the grant:

• For payment of programme subscription fee
• For procurement of services from external course providers
• For employment of instructors to run the programmes
• For the purchase of consumables, learning and teaching materials and educational software packages
• For administrative and local transportation costs incurred by schools

Examples of suggested use of DLG:

• To subsidise a group of students who enrol on a fee-charging credit-bearing course in Computer Programming offered by a local tertiary institute
• To partially subsidise a group of students who enroll on a study tour to the Mainland (excluding passage / accommodation) for the purpose of developing their gifted potential
• To procure service from an external course provider or an individual for organising on-site pull-out gifted development programmes
• To purchase gifted education related reference books, journals and magazines
• To purchase equipment or consumables that are used for the school-based pull-out gifted development programmes
• To pay for printing services in relation to the gifted development programmes offered
• To pay for transportation costs incurred by schools for local excursions in relation to pull-out gifted development programmes
• To subsidise registration fee for overseas learning / exchange programmes
• To hire personal tutor(s) to give extra remedial tuition to students gifted in sports, for example, but lagging behind academically because they are too occupied with other activities
• To network with neighbouring schools to employ facilitators / tutors for a special programme for selected NSS students, e.g. drama
• To enrol gifted students on related web-based courses offered by local or overseas programme providers

Examples of INAPPROPRIATE use of DLG

• To procure services from external service providers for offering examination-oriented cramming classes in relation to NSS subjects
• To pay for food and beverages
• To purchase musical instruments to form an orchestra for the school, rather than for selected talented NSS students
• To subsidise air passage / accommodation for students to take part in overseas training programmes