DSWD-7 deploys over 700 tutors

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 yesterday started deploying 704 tutors and youth development workers to 68 public elementary schools in Cebu City to kick off its tutoring program dubbed as “Tara, Basa.”

For 20 days, Cebu Normal University (CNU) students will conduct tutoring sessions for learners while YDWs will facilitate the parenting or Nanay-Tatay sessions.

In partnership with the Department of Education, DSWD-7 aims to improve the reading literacy of over 4,000 incoming Grade 2 non-readers, as well as involve their parents in enforcing their children's education.

Tutors will work with at least 10 students each for 20 days--from July 1 to July 26-- in their assigned school. Incoming 4th-year BSEd Mathematics student Sweety Mae Berandez shared that her first day as a tutor was "tiring" yet "fulfilling." Out of her 12 tutees, only one arrived during their session.

Despite this, Berandez incorporated her student's hobby in learning the Filipino alphabet, which is dancing.

"I realized that the most effective way to make students learn with fun is through aligning their interests in the knowledge they are about to learn. Let them do something; kids love action or mag kuri kuri," Berandez said.

She also told The Freeman that "Tara, Basa" serves as her "training ground" to help boost her confidence, character reading skills, and how to deal with kids as a future teacher.

Berandez went on to say that the program is good for kids since reading is a great way to learn about the world around you.

"The 20 sessions will help them improve their reading comprehension, and hopefully in the next PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) Results, we won't be at the bottom four," Berandez added.

On June 18, PISA revealed that the Philippines ranked in the bottom four for creative thinking among 64 countries. The study also discovered that the country did poorly in Science, Mathematics, and reading, all of which are related to strong performance in creative thinking.

Meanwhile, DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero said CNU identified the student tutors per DSWD's low-income family requirement. It can be recalled that the Cebu City Government, DSWD-7, and CNU signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 8 to implement the program.

As the department's revised educational assistance program, the tutors will receive a P485 cash-for-work intervention.

Additionally, the tutors and YDWs had their four-day training, breakout sessions, and return demonstrations to prepare for the program. They are also to observe the DSWD's Code of Conduct for Child Protection Policy.

Teaching materials, guidebooks, and P2,000 financial allowance were further distributed during their pre-deployment orientation in June 28. On the other hand, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian is expected to attend the program's launching on July 3, as confirmed by the Cebu City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children (CCCWPC) Head Carmelita Helen Francisco.

Gatchalian is also set to visit the elementary schools in Barangay Carreta and Hipodromo in Cebu City, which are known to have the most number of incoming Grade 2 students who struggle with or are slow in reading. Cebu City is currently the first in Region 7 to pilot and implement the program. — Jonalyn Infante, CNU Intern (FREEMAN)