The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is rolling out the "Tara, Basa!" tutoring program in Lanao del Sur, with a mission to enhance the literacy of 2,070 Grade 2 learners who are having difficulty in reading comprehension.
Among the targeted learners, 1,500 will come from Marawi City, while an additional 570 will be from the municipality of Taraka.
The DSWD, the city government of Marawi, and the Mindanao State University (MSU) Main Campus inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) last week to officially launch the program. A similar agreement between DSWD-10, MSU, and the municipal government of Taraka is scheduled for this week.
‘Tara, Basa!’ is a holistic program aiming to assist elementary learners grappling with reading difficulties in improving their foundational reading skills while offering short-term employment opportunities for financially challenged college students.
College students will serve as tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs) throughout 20 sessions, each lasting 2 to 3 hours. Akin to the government's cash-for-work program, these students will receive regionally accepted minimum wages per session.
In Lanao del Sur, the program sets its sights on engaging 310 college students, with 207 stepping into tutoring roles and 103 assuming the responsibilities of YDWs. Education students will take on tutoring responsibilities, while social work students will fulfill the roles of YDWs. The MSU System administration will be able to identify them.
Accordingly, the YDWs will lead the parenting and learning sessions, targeting parents and guardians of struggling and non-reader learners. DSWD-10 highlights that this crucial component of the program seeks to empower parents and strengthen community support systems to ensure the program's sustainability.
Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra emphasized the program's community-building aspect during the MoA signing.
"This program goes beyond academic assistance; it is about building a community where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream. It is about creating an environment where parents are engaged and empowered through Nanay-Tatay sessions to support their children’s education," he said.
MSU System President Basari Mapupuno echoed similar sentiments, expressing the opportunity to improve the educational outcomes and quality of life for children.
"I felt that we should definitely not miss out on this chance to improve not only the educational outcomes of the children here but also these children's chances of having a better quality of life as a result of being better readers," he said.
The identified college students will undergo social preparation and capability building before the tutoring sessions commence, which are scheduled around May and July. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
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