Giftedness and gifted underachievement in educational institutions

Every nation wants to make sure that all students, including those with extraordinary talent in arts, sciences, business and other fields, have full opportunity to develop their excellent gifts. The society should concern itself with such students because of evidence that they will fill many leadership positions and roles in its future. They will make many of the new scientific discoveries and shape the future artistic productions. It is in the best interest of society as a whole to see to it that these gifted and talented students perform to the best of their potential.

Researchers found out that enough work is not done in that direction now. Inevery generation, many such children pass through school unidentified, their talents uncultivated. It is on this premise that this paper discusses giftedness and the Nigeria situation; components of intellectual competence; challenges associated with giftedness and identification of gifted children. The paper also discusses gifted underachievers; counselling and instructional interventions; and what parents can do to help their underachieving gifted children.