April 2, 2025 – The DSWD, through its Field Office IV-A, began the provision of capacity building sessions last April 1 to tutors and youth development workers in preparation for the implementation of the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.

A total of 1,100 tutors and 550 youth development workers are expected to be capacitated prior to the start of the program on May 19.

The tutors and youth development workers are qualified college students enrolled in DSWD’s partner state and local universities and colleges in Quezon and Cavite. These college students, mostly taking education or social science-related courses, will be the partners of the DSWD in providing tutorial sessions to incoming Grade 2 pupils and Nanay-Tatay sessions to their parents.

During one of the capacity building sessions for 51 college students at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Unisan, Laarni Reintegrado, officer-in-charge of the Innovations Division of the DSWD Field Office IV-A, encouraged the tutors and youth development workers to show real concern to the young learners and their parents while engaged with the program.

“Sa programang ito, hindi lamang ito tungkol sa matatanggap ninyong educational assistance. Mahalaga ang inyong magiging kontribusyon sa paggabay sa mga bata upang mapaunlad ang kanilang pagbabasa, magkaroon ng kumpyansa sa sarili, at mas pahalagahan ang kanilang pag-aaral,” added Reintegrado.

The Tara Basa! Tutoring Program is currently being implemented in Bacoor City, Cavite and in various localities in Quezon Province. This program aims to help improve the literacy of children, especially those identified as non-readers or struggling readers, and also to capacitate their parents in guiding their children in their studies.

Meanwhile, the program also provides opportunities to college students to hone their skills and gain experience in teaching and earn additional income to augment their needs in their studies. [with reports from FASayed/VVEsquieres]