May 23, 2025 – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office IV-A will begin the implementation of the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program (TBTP) in Quezon Province on May 26, 2025.

The program, which is being implemented in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the concerned local government units, is expected to benefit 3,437 learners or incoming Grade 2 students in the province.  The said learners will undergo tutorial sessions to help them improve their reading skills and eventually improve their literacy.

The said learners were identified from the various elementary schools in the province

According to Ms. Abigail Cecilia Salumbides, District TBTP Focal Person and Principal I of Paaralang Elementary ng May-It Manasa in Lucban, Quezon, the implementation of the program will benefit their pupils.

“Malaking bagay (tulong) ang program kasi madi-diretso o magiging tuluy-tuloy ang practice ng mga estudyante sa reading at ma-familiarize sa letters and words para pagdating ng pasukan, sila ay handa na muli at kaya nang sumbay sa iba,” Salumbides related.

Principal Salumbides also added that the Nanay-Tatay sessions of the TBTP also complements the DepEd’s advocacy of follow up learning at home. Since their school is located in a rural community and most of the parents need to work to earn for their family, many of the parents themselves have low literacy or are unable to assist their children with the studies at home. As such, the Nanay-Tatay sessions that will be conducted alongside the tutorial sessions will help boost their capacities to do the follow up learning at home.

“Dahil sa dagdag the kaalaman ng mga Nanay at Tatay na makukuha sa session nila, ‘yung paghikayat na nila sa kanilang anak na mag-practice ng pagbabasa sa bahay o kaya’y ‘yung simpleng presensya nila ay magiging malaking tulong sa pag-aaral ng mga bata,” Principal Salumbides added.

Aside from the incoming Grade 2 student-learners and their respective parents, also benefitting from the program are selected 1,017 college students from various state universities and colleges in the province. These college students, mostly Education majors, will serve as the tutors of the learners (incoming grade 2 pupils) or youth development workers of the parents (in the facilitation of the Nanay-Tatay sessions). 

Each of these students underwent a five-day training aimed at enhancing their skills in conducting the tutorial sessions and will be receiving financial assistance after the 20-day tutorial sessions which is expected to be used for their college education. # with reports from JCMayonado – Student Intern