I AGREE with Mr Frankie Mao that it is the primary objective of schools to develop the academic and mental abilities of gifted students and higher ability learners ("Emotional support vital for gifted kids to succeed"; Thursday).

However, such programmes can be improved.

More interaction with students of different streams can be included. This will allow the students to work together better, as they can look at problems from different perspectives.

This will also enable them to work with others more effectively in the future.

When these gifted students go out into the workforce in the future, they will have to collaborate and communicate with people of different educational backgrounds and different segments of society who may have different points of view.

In conclusion, gifted students and higher ability learners should be developed to understand others well and socialise with them in order to succeed in the future.

Charlieze Tan (Miss)