From August 14 to September 2, the DSWD Field Office IV-A has disbursed a total of PhP 38.11 M worth of cash assistance for the implementation of the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program benefitting a total of 7,059 learners in the province of Quezon and in the city of Bacoor, Cavite. The cash assistance was provided to more than 6,000 tutors, youth development workers, and parents in a series of payout activities in the said localities.

The Tara Basa! Tutoring Program is a new program of the DSWD that engages college students from low-income families in providing 20-day tutorial sessions to elementary students who are struggling readers. The students also engage in capacitating parents or guardians so they can sustain the tutorial sessions for their children.

John Keneth Masaga, a tutor from Calauag, Quezon, shared how fulfilled he is to be a part of the program.

“Day by day ay nakikita ko ang improvement nila (mga batang tinuturuan)…at masasabi ko ring hindi lang ang mga bata ang natuto sa programang ito, kundi natuto rin kaming ihanda ang sarili namin pagdating ng panahon na makatapos kami ng kolehiyo at maging ganap na guro na,” said Masaga.

In exchange for serving as tutors or youth development workers for 20 days, they receive cash assistance that they can use for their expenses, particularly for their school needs.

The parents, on the other hand, receive cash assistance for their attendance to the 20-day Nanay-Tatay Sessions that covered topics such as communicating with children and nurturing good behavior of children among others.# [with reports from BBDelMundo / MJPadariagao]