Public school students will soon be able to chose extra-curricular activities based on their interests, as part of their study requirements.

The Gifted and Talented Enrichment (GATE) programme is an after-school course targeted at young people who may or may not know what their gifts are.

It is being piloted in the Dellwood cluster of schools — Dellwood Middle School, West Pembroke Primary School, Northlands Primary School and Victor Scott Primary School — in the next few weeks.

Programme coordinator, Luann Wainwright explained the programme was for the enrichment of every child in the public school system.

"We believe that every child has a talent or a gift but not all of them open it at the same time."

Enrichment focuses on instructional seminars which will take place after school between a time block of 3.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Ms Wainwright said: "Instructional seminars are challenging and stimulating, interest based learning extension opportunities which are interwoven with curricular connections."

The seminars will help the children in several areas including how they develop skills, make connections and gain instruction with professionals in a particular field. It will last six weeks with one seminar scheduled a week, lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. The course will be taught by professionals in the students' chosen fields.

Ms Wainwright said that retired teachers and principals would also be encouraged to teach some of the seminars.

For more information or to assist, send an e-mail: lwainwright@gov.bm.