City government to start reading tutorials

MANILA, Philippines — To raise literacy among Cebuano students, the Cebu City Government will start a tutorial program dubbed as “Tara, Basa” next month.

The program is set to be launched on July 3, 2024 with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian as guest of honor.

Cebu City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children (CCCWPC) head Carmelita Helen B. Francisco confirmed Gatchalian’s attendance.

Gatchalian is also set to visit two elementary schools in Cebu City--Hipodromo and Carreta. The said areas have been identified to have the most number of incoming grade two students that have difficulties in reading.

Among the 80 barangays in Cebu City, at least 34 elementary schools that were also identified as having the most students who needed more reading tutorials. According to the records, up to 4,865 students from 34 elementary schools needed reading tutorials. At least 583 tutors will be deployed in the 34 barangays in Cebu City.

“Ang 583 ka mga tutors nihuman usab karong adlawa (Friday) sa ilang upat ka adlaw nga training unsaon pag-tudlo ang mga bata nga gipasiugdahan sa DSWD Manila diha sa Cebu Normal University,” reads the report of the city information office.

During the 20-day sessions, these tutors will also receive their respective honorarium at P485 per day. It was on March 8, 2024 that the Cebu City Government sealed an agreement with the DSWD to implement the tutorial program.

Cebu City was chosen as one of the areas among the seven other areas in the country for the implementation of the tutoring program that targets to offer educational assistance to college students who will serve as tutors.

A study conducted by the World Bank in 2022 shows that 90% of Filipino children struggle to read or comprehend simple text. The objective of Tara Basa is to address illiteracy and to improve the reading abilities of Filipino children while also providing an avenue of exposure to college students.