DSWD taps MSU students as tutors for its reading program in Northern Mindanao
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office 10 (Northern Mindanao), held a comprehensive capability building session for 207 Mindanao State University (MSU) students as part of the implementation of the “Tara, Basa!” reading tutorial program.
From April 1 to 3, MSU students trained as tutors and youth development workers (YDWs) to teach grade school learners who are struggling to read or are non-readers in "madrasahs" and "torils," as well as formal education students in Marawi City and Taraka, Lanao del Sur.
MSU's Bachelor of Science in Education students received essential classroom management skills and various assessment tools during the three-day capability building session in preparation for their teaching sessions in June.
During the opening session, DSWD-Northern Mindanao Assistant Regional Director for Administration Salmah Basher emphasized the significant role that the college students will play in fostering positive change and promoting peace advocacy within the region.
“You will be contributing not only to the educational learning and improvement of the children but also in making them future change agents and peace advocates,” Basher told the students.
The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is the DSWD's reformatted educational assistance that establishes a learning environment by enabling college students to serve as tutors and YDWs.
As part of the program, tutors help struggling and non-reading elementary students with their reading.
Meanwhile, YDWs offer "nanay-tatay" learning sessions to parents and guardians.
DSWD said the parent/guardian module session is one of the features of the program to strengthen the family and community support systems of the child-beneficiaries.
under the program, the tutors and YDWs receive regionally-accepted minimum wage to support their educational needs.