GIFTED children were often mistaken as problematic because of society's ignorance, according to some education experts and parents.
Schools should take steps to help these students develop their potential, rather than labelling them as problematic, they said.
Helen Yu Ku Siu-yin, assistant professor in the Department of Applied Social Studies at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said the present school curriculum failed to provide learning incentives for the gifted, and this caused frustration among them.
'The curriculum in Hong Kong schools is too traditional and rigid. There have been cases where schools identified certain kids as problematic, but we found them to be highly gifted,' said Mrs Yu, adding that schools should encourage these students to carry out independent projects and in-depth research.
Ability grouping, early admission and support from experts from different fields of the community could help maximise the potential of gifted children, she said.
Recognising the need to develop gifted education in the territory, the Education Department is now working on special programmes in this area.