120K+ STUDENTS, 54K PARENTS BENEFIT FROM TARA, BASA! AS DSWD WRAPS UP TUTORING PROGRAM FOR 2024

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — A total of 120,359 college students, struggling and non-reader elementary learners, and parents have benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) expanded Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, an agency official said on Thursday (August 1).

“After 20 reading and Nanay-Tatay sessions, the DSWD, through the help of our trained college students, has assisted a total of 54,985 struggling and non-reader elementary learners and another 54,985 parents and guardians,” said DSWD Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson.

These college students, consisting of 8,000 tutors and 2,389 youth development workers (YDWs) were capacitated and deployed in select elementary schools to help improve the reading proficiency of elementary students and conduct Nanay-Tatay teacher sessions for parents and guardians of the grade school beneficiaries, respectively.

“With the expansion of the tutoring program outside the National Capital Region (NCR), we can help more college students to defray their school expenses such as transportation expenses, school supplies, school projects, allowances, and other related expenses,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

After the pilot implementation in NCR last year, the agency partnered with the local government units (LGUs) in Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), and CALABARZON for the expansion of the tutoring program.

Each tutor and YDW receives cash-for-work in exchange for the 20 tutorial and parenting sessions they have conducted with the grade school learners and parents.

The amount of the CFW is based on the regional minimum wage rate in their areas.

Dumlao said that as of August 1, participating schools in Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and SOCCSKSARGEN have culminated the 20-day tutoring sessions.

“Reading and parenting sessions in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and NCR were cancelled due to the recent Super Typhoon Carina compounded by the southwest monsoon,” Dumlao pointed out.

The participating schools in the three regions will conduct make-up sessions for Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program until August 10.

Claire Kristine Grace Balais, one of the student-tutors from Samar State University, acknowledged the significant role of learners in her professional development as a teacher, stressing that they can also learn from the elementary learners.

“I have seen them (learners) grow from the first day hasta yana na last day namon [and on our last day] especially how they value reading itself. For me, an iya naman impact was parang subtle pero certain [the impact of it was subtle but certain]. It is different kasi when you are just learning theories in school and when you experience it firsthand. The experience taught me that as a teacher we are the one to first believe in our learners and the last one to give up on them. It’s two-way since they are teaching you as well,” Claire Kristine Grace explained.

For another tutor, Lyster Arbutante, a 3rd-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Social Studies student from Cebu City, the cash-for-work stipend he received from the program has been beneficial to him.

“This support is indeed very helpful, especially for students like us enrolled in state universities. It’s a significant help for me, especially since I come from the province. Thanks to the cash-for-work from the DSWD, I no longer need to ask my parents for an allowance,” Lyster said.

Tutor Lyster added that his experience with the program was very fulfilling saying that while he was helping others, he was also earning at the same time.

Gina Jambo Guerrera, a guardian of one of the elementary learners from Lingunan Elementary School in Valenzuela City, said the Nanay-Tatay teacher sessions were a great help to parents and guardians as they realize the importance of having time with their children.

“Maraming salamat po sa Tara, Basa dahil nagkaroon po kami ng magandang asal sa aming mga anak. Marami po ang natutulungan na magulang na mas maging mabuting magulang at mas nasuportahan po namin ang aming mga anak sa pag-aaral. Natanggal na po namin ang mga maling gawain at napalawak pa po ang aming kaisipan,” Gina Jambo said.

The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is the reformatted educational assistance program of the Department that creates an ecosystem of learning by training college students from low-income families who are in difficult situations to become tutors and YDWs.

(ia/mnm)