SIXTY-six state and local universities and colleges (S/LUCs) and local government units (LGUs) have joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the expansion of the government’s flagship tutorial program to promote reading proficiency among public elementary students.
DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay, who represented the agency, signed a memorandum of agreement with representatives of the S/LUCs and LGUs in Dapa, Surigao del Norte last February 28 to formalize the tripartite partnership for the nationwide implementation of the “Tara, Basa!” tutoring program.
Under the agreement, the S/LUCs will screen second to fourth year college students from poor families who would serve as tutors for Grade two pupils who would be taught comprehensive reading.
The higher education institutions will also be responsible for the matching and deployment of tutors from S/LUCs and grade school learners from public elementary schools and provide the venues and other logistical support during payout activities for tutors and youth development workers.
The LGUs will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the tutoring program within their jurisdictions; provide venues, vehicles, and other logistical support during payout and conduct of sessions; and ensure the safety and security of the DSWD personnel assigned to coordinate and/or facilitate the implementation of the program in their respective municipality.
Punay said the 66 participating S/LUCs are from the regions of Ilocos, Central Luzon, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Caraga, the National Capital Region.
The schools include the Pangasinan State University in Lingayen, Pangasinan; Bulacan State University in Bulacan; Laguna State Polytechnic University in Quezon; Romblon State University in Odiongan, Romblon; Bicol University in Albay; Cebu Normal University in Cebu City; Samar State University in Catbalogan City; Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City; Mindanao State University in Marawi City; University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, Cotabato; and Caraga State University in Butuan City.
Punay said the college students will undergo training before deployment as tutors and youth workers in select public elementary schools either to help improve the reading proficiency of grade school students and or conduct “Nanay-Tatay-Teacher” sessions for parents and guardians of grade school beneficiaries.
The student tutors and youth development workers will be given cash-for-work grants for rendering 20 days of tutoring and teaching sessions.
The tutorial and Nanay-Tatay Teacher sessions are set to take place from May to June.
“Tara, Basa!” is the DSWD’s reformatted educational assistance program in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).
It was declared a flagship program of the national government through Executive Order 76, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on November 22, 2024.
