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“Tara, Basa!”: A Government Initiative to Empower Grade 1 Students Through Tutoring

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The government has launched a pilot reading program called “Tara, Basa!” that will pay college students from low-income families to tutor Grade 1 students struggling to read. This initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program

The “Tara, Basa!” tutoring program kicked off on Wednesday, aiming to provide educational assistance to college students in need of financial aid. Simultaneously, it offers tutoring services to Grade 1 students who are frustrated or non-readers.

Tutors part of the program will receive P570 per day for 20 days of service, teaching struggling or non-reader Grade 1 students from low-income households.

Strengthening Social Protection Programs

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized that this program is the department’s contribution to strengthening social protection programs for vulnerable sectors, especially Filipino children and youth.

“Through Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, it is our goal to increase the involvement of college students from low-income families in nation-building while helping them complete their tertiary education,” Gatchalian said.

The program also aims to address learning losses, reduce vulnerability among children, and mitigate the scarring caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning with the eight-point socio-economic agenda of the Marcos administration.

Training and Support for Tutors and Parents

The college students will undergo training from the DSWD to become tutors and youth development practitioners. Additionally, they will organize Nanay-Tatay-Teacher sessions, aimed at parents and guardians, to provide guidance on successful parenting.

Parents and guardians of elementary students struggling with reading will also receive a daily cash benefit of P235 for 20 days. This support is given in exchange for their involvement in preparing their children for learning and reading sessions, aiding them with post-reading assignments, and engaging in other relevant activities.