Solon pushes for center for gifted kids

A lawmaker is urging the creation of a Center for the Gifted Children where children with higher intellectual ability can be developed for the country’s benefit.

Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio (1st District, South Cotabato) filed House Bill No. 266 to establish the center, which will boast of deserving science students, researchers, scientists, investors, technologists and especially gifted children. The center is where the gifted children will be built up and their potential maximized.

"The center will identify at the earliest age possible gifted children and to provide developmental opportunities, scholarship grants and other forms of assistance to gifted children," Antonino-Custodio said.

The three-term lawmaker lamented that due to the country's failing educational system gifted children who exhibited very high intellectual ability particularly in the fields of science and mathematics are forced to accept what little the school can offer to them.

She said these students become lost and often end up not even finishing their studies and others pirated by foreign governments with offers of full scholarships and modern facilities.

Antonino-Custodio said once established the center will provide logistical and infrastructure support to effectively supplement the curricular programs for the Filipino gifted children.

It will also give especial training programs for teachers, guidance counselors, school administrators, other personnel and parents concerned, she added.

The center will likewise set up and maintain linkages with national, international, governmental and non-governmental organizations, institutions and counterpart agencies involved in/or relevant to programs for Filipino gifted children.

"The center will create an environment where the expertise of gifted children are developed and utilized for the benefit of the country," Antonino-Custodio said.