The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the first phase of the expanded “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” in seven regions across the country, an agency official said on Monday, July 1.
Following a successful pilot implementation in the National Capital Region (NCR) in August 2023, DSWD has collaborated with local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City), and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) to expand the tutoring program.
“With the expansion of the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, we aim to aid more college students in difficult circumstances to pursue or complete their studies through provision of cash-for-work (CFW) under this reformatted educational assistance program,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.
Dumlao explained that the initiative includes a cash-for-work (CFW) component, providing employment opportunities for 10,289 2nd- to 4th-year college students as tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs).
They will mentor 85,213 incoming Grade 2 learners who are struggling to read or are non-readers, selected for the program.
Tutors will conduct 20 reading sessions for elementary learners while YDWs will engage in “nanay-tatay teacher sessions” from July 1 to 26.
Tutors and YDWs will receive cash-for-work (CFW) based on regional daily minimum wages.
Dumlao said tutors and YDWs are from select state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local government-run universities, belonging to low-income families.
Parents and guardians of elementary learners will also receive P235 per day for attending nanay-tatay teacher sessions and assisting with their children’s learning and reading assignments.