The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to revamp its ‘Tara, Basa!’ (Let’s Read!) tutoring initiative in 2025, aiming to improve the tutor-to-learner ratio for struggling Grade 2 students. Assistant Regional Director Tonyson Luther Lee announced that the program will introduce new guidelines to better cater to the needs of young readers who are facing difficulties.
The updated program will extend its reach across various local government units in Cebu province, including the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu. Lee emphasized that the changes will not only enhance the ratio of youth development workers to parents in the Nanay-Tatay (Mother-Father) Teacher Parenting sessions but also increase the number of beneficiaries and involve more partners.
A recent year-end assessment and planning workshop held by the Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) in Cebu City focused on strategies to bolster the national government’s efforts in improving reading skills among learners. During the workshop, DSWD-7 staff reviewed the 2024 implementation and suggested improvements such as organizing school assignments by local government unit, resolving complaints, optimizing the distribution of program kits and workbooks, and reducing errors in documentation and payroll processes.
Lee highlighted that these recommendations are crucial for streamlining the program’s operations and ensuring its effectiveness in supporting struggling readers.