April 28, 2025 – Helping children while earning money through DSWD’s Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.

While many college students spent their vacation months resting or catching up on personal time, Ralph Lemmor Roldan, a resident of Pagbilao Quezon and an aspiring educator, chose a different path.

During the school break last April to May 2024, Ralph, 21, a college student from the Southern Luzon State University, enlisted as a tutor under the DSWD’s Tara Basa! Tutoring Program.

The said program is implemented by the DSWD in partnership with the Department of Education and state and local universities and colleges. It aims to help improve the literacy of children, especially those identified as non-readers or struggling readers.

In the program’s implementation in 2024, Ralph is one of the 1,217 students in Quezon Province and Bacoor City who were engaged as tutors and youth development workers.

“Nalaman ko ‘tong program na ‘to nung naglabas ng announcement si Dean [College of Teacher Education in SLSU Main Campus] na first time magco-conduct ng Tara, Basa sa Quezon kaya nag-apply agad ako since first come, first serve tapos sin’werte pa ako kasi ako lang sa buong section namin yung nakapasok sa list ng qualified beneficiaries,” shared Ralph, a 3rd year student taking up  Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Filipino. 

In the said program, students pursuing education courses such as Ralph were prioritized to give them an opportunity to hone their teaching skills while also receiving financial assistance for their educational expenses.

“Bago naman kami magturo, nag-undergo muna kami ng seminar, bale 2 days at 1-night ‘yon na libre lahat at provided ng DSWD para ma-inform kami kung ano yung gagawin namin ‘pag nasa field na kami,” shared Ralph.

After the training, Ralph was assigned to teach 20 incoming Grade 2 pupils of Mayao Castillo Elementary School in Lucena City.

As a tutor, Ralph was tasked to guide the pupils to improve their reading skills through daily tutorial sessions for 20 days.

“Magandang experience s’ya para sa akin nung nagtuturo ako kasi may iba’t ibang students ako na na-encounter, may mababait, mahiyain, makulit, tsaka iba pang behavior ng students na mararanasan mo talaga pag nagtuturo ka na,” he shared. 

Ralph added that he enjoyed his overall experience with the program.

“Masaya kasi nakakahalubilo din namin yung parents at hindi kami na-discriminate kahit student teachers pa lang kami at nagsilbing parang OJT ko sa field of teaching kahit 3rd year pa lang ako,” shared Ralph. 

After he completed the required days of attendance with the program, Ralph received PhP 10,400 financial assistance from the DSWD. 

“Effective s’ya kasi imbes na nasa bahay lang, may ginagawa ka rin at kumikita ka pa. At isa pa, nakabili ako ng sarili kong materials [school supplies] para sa susunod na semester, nakapagpundar din ako ng printer na napapakinabangan ko na ngayon,” shared Ralph, who added that he uses the printer now to earn extra income through offering printing services.

More than the experience and also of the financial aid, Ralph is most grateful to how he was able to make an impact on the lives of the pupils he handled.

This year, more than 1,000 college students are being capacitated by the DSWD for the incoming tutorial sessions this May 2025. # (JCMayonado – Student Intern)