By Nimfa Estrellado DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo Punay along with local officials of Quezon Province during the launch of the "Tara, Bas...
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| DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo Punay along with local officials of Quezon Province during the launch of the "Tara, Basa!" program in Quezon on April 16, 2024 in Lucena City. (Photo from Provincial Government of Quezon) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - To address declining reading proficiency among elementary students, Quezon province has launched the innovative "Tara, Basa!" program. This initiative, spearheaded by the local government in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd), signifies a significant step forward for improving literacy in Quezon.
With high-level support from DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Eduardo Punay and DSWD CALABARZON Regional Director Barry Chua, the program aims to empower 3,600 young learners initially. However, the vision extends beyond immediate benefits.
"Tara, Basa!" aspires to become a successful model that can be replicated in other regions, fostering long-term literacy gains for countless students nationwide. Governor Tan even sees potential for collaboration with initiatives like Kid Bibo, potentially broadening the program's scope and offering a more comprehensive learning experience.
The "Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program" specifically targets struggling or non-reading grade school students in Quezon. Due to its successful implementation in Metro Manila, the program is expanding to other areas within the Philippines this year, according to DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo Punay.
This initiative tackles two crucial issues: addressing learning losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and improving the overall socioeconomic well-being of children, as outlined in the eight-point socioeconomic agenda of the Marcos administration. College students from low-income families receive financial aid in exchange for becoming tutors.
By directly addressing the decline in reading proficiency identified by the Department of Education's Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment, "Tara, Basa!" positions Quezon as a leader in the fight for a brighter future for its young learners.
The program will be implemented with the support of 6,000 college students serving as tutors and 1,076 Youth Development Workers. Funding for the program will be provided by the DSWD Field Office IV-A CALABARZON.
Several educational institutions within the province have also pledged their participation, including Laguna State Polytechnic University Lopez Satellite, Southern Luzon State University, Philippine Normal University South Luzon, PUP Mulanay, PUP Lopez, PUP Unisan, Mauban Community College, and Colegio de la Ciudad de Tayabas.
The undersecretary emphasized that DSWD is transforming from an agency that solely provides assistance to one that promotes community-driven development. He explained that the goal is for beneficiaries to actively participate and contribute to their communities, not solely rely on DSWD.
"This tutoring program specifically aims to empower individuals to take charge of their learning and contribute to the betterment of their communities. Through collaboration between beneficiaries and the agency, the program strives for sustainable progress." Punay said.
He said the expansion of the program to more communities is a testament to DSWD's commitment to fostering self-reliance and empowerment among its beneficiaries. The agency believes that by working together with communities, they can create lasting positive change that benefits everyone involved.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of pledge of commitment books to the Youth Development Workers, symbolizing their dedication to the program and their role in tackling educational issues among children.
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