Getting involved in free tutorial programs

It always feels good to be able to give back to your community and I am always in high spirits whenever I do so. One way of doing it is by participating in your school’s free tutorial programs as a teacher-trainer for its underprivileged and academically-challenged students.

My first involvement with our school’s tutorial program was in February 2006, together with the officers of the Supreme Student Council, student-volunteers from the VIA (Values In Action) Circle Kabataang Makabayan, selected students and teacher-trainers. We taught preschool children, elementary and high school students, out-of-school youths, adults and children with special needs living within the vicinity of Barangay Culiat how to read as well as to assist them in other subjects for six consecutive Saturdays. Two reading camps were set-up. One was at the Korphil Day Care Center, located along Luzon Avenue in Barangay Culiat and the other one in our school’s extension campus located also along Tandang Sora Avenue in Barangay Pasong Tamo.

The said program was again implemented in February 2007. I was assigned as a teacher-trainer at the Madrasatu School of Peace where one of two reading camps were set up. This endeavor was supported by our school principal, Dr. Alejandro Referente, the school’s Central Parents-Teachers Community Association, Barangay Culiat Council, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and the DepEd Division of City Schools, Quezon City. The first community tutorial program was also supported by the Barangay Pasong Tamo Council. My most recent tutorial ended last March 20.

The results and students’ feedback on these programs were very positive and very encouraging. The students’ level of achievement increased and they wanted these programs to be repeated again. Parents were also very receptive because these are free and they realized that there are individuals who are willing to share their expertise and time to their children and other members of their families. These sentiments motivate me to do my part in community building and to provide quality academic assistance to students and other individuals living in depressed areas who are in need of it. I do it for free because I love and understand them and I am going to do it for as long as I can and for as long as I live.

(Ms. Basconcillo is currently teaching Philippine Geography, History and Government at Culiat High School, Tandang Sora Avenue, Culiat, Quezon City.)