In preparation for the 20-day tutorial and parenting sessions under the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program this May, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has intensified its capacity-building efforts for college student tutors and youth development workers (YDWs) across the country.
“As instructed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, our Field Offices have started training and capacitating college students who will be part of this year’s Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said on Tuesday (April 15).
A total of 18,055 college students are expected to participate in a 5-day capacity-building activities across the county to equip tutors and YDWs with essential knowledge and practical skills in teaching and learning sessions.
Training topics include basic gender and cultural sensitivity, financial literacy, positive parenting, and an in-depth orientation on their roles as tutors and YDWs.
Orientation and discussion on the guidebook for tutors and workbook for learners were also given by the organizers.
These guidebooks are designed to be the students’ primary reference materials during the tutorial sessions with elementary learners and the Nanay-Tatay teacher sessions with parents and guardians.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the guidebook for tutors and workbook for learners were crafted by the DSWD and the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), in consultation with the Department of Education (DepEd).
“We are preparing these students not just to teach, but to become holistic support systems for both children and parents. By giving them the right tools and proper training, we are strengthening the foundation of the Tara, Basa! Program and ensuring its meaningful impact in the communities,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Jomel Sabalboro, a 3rd-year college student from Daraga Community College (DCOMC) in Albay, said the capacity building activities helped them understand the importance of identifying the learners’ strengths and weaknesses, understanding learning styles, and creating meaningful learning experiences tailored to the needs of the struggling or non-reader elementary learners.
“Before the capacity building activities, I thought my role was simply to teach struggling readers using printed materials like storybooks. However, through the sessions, I realized that my responsibilities go far beyond that.
Additionally, assessing students’ progress is a crucial part of ensuring their growth. In a nutshell, this program is challenging but it has helped me build confidence and reinforced my role in nation-building,” Jomel explained.
The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is the DSWD’s reformatted educational assistance in partnership with the DepEd. It is a conditional program that gives cash-for-work (CFW) to college students, based on the prevailing regional daily minimum wage rate, in exchange for rendering 20 tutoring and learning sessions.
For this year, the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program will be implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR); Regions 1 (Ilocos Region); 3 (Central Luzon); 5 (Bicol Region); 7 (Central Visayas); 8 (Eastern Visayas); 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula); 10 (Northern Mindanao); 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN); CALABARZON; MIMAROPA; and Caraga.
The tutoring program was declared as a flagship program of the national government by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, through Executive Order 76 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on November 22, 2024.