NEWS
DSWD expands Tara, Basa! tutoring program
He said DepEd data showed a significant decrease in the number of students needing intensive reading support after participating in the program.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development announced the expansion next year of its Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, offering college students opportunities to earn while helping struggling readers in elementary school.
DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Edu Punay highlighted the program's success during a recent workshop, noting its positive impact on both students and tutors. He also announced efforts to institutionalize the program nationwide through a proposed bill in the House of Representatives.
He said data from the Department of Education showed a significant decrease in the number of students needing intensive reading support after participating in the program.
The program improved students' reading skills, increased their confidence, and boosted their motivation to read.
From the 17,193 students who were tagged as "full refresher" during the pre-test, only 6,978 student-beneficiaries of Tara, Basa! are now classified as full refresher after the pilot implementation.
The program trains college students as tutors and Youth Development Workers, who then provide targeted interventions and personalized instruction to students.
Following its successful pilot launch in several Metro Manila cities in August 2023, the program will be expanded to areas outside the capital region in 2024.