Photo courtesy of DSWD-1.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) plans to reach about 3,000 young learners in the Ilocos Region this year through its “Tara, Basa!” tutoring initiative.
DSWD 1 Director Marie Angela Gopalan said on Monday that the program aims to improve foundational literacy skills among Grades 1 and 2 students while providing cash-for-work opportunities to tutors and youth development workers.
Participants serving as tutors and development workers receive the daily minimum wage for two- to three-hour sessions over a 20-day period, which include both tutorials and parenting sessions.
Gopalan said the program uses a 1:5 tutor-to-learner ratio to maximize learning, while the youth development worker-to-parent ratio of 1:10 ensures parents are actively involved in their children’s literacy and parenting development.
She added that the program also supports poor but deserving college students by giving them work experience and financial assistance through tutoring activities.
The program integrates closely with the Department of Education, targeting children with poor reading comprehension and providing a structured framework for consistent skill development.
Parents and guardians also benefit from the program, receiving guidance to coach their children and PHP235 per day for attending the 20-day Nanay-Tatay sessions.
Gopalan emphasized that the initiative seeks to create a sustainable learning environment where both children and parents are empowered to continue educational progress beyond the program’s duration.
