The Regional Program Management Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 – Central Visayas recently conducted a Regional Training of Trainers (RToT) for Learning and Development of Tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs) from March 19-21, 2025, in Mandaue City.

Accomplished educators from the Department of Education and participating state and local colleges or universities attended the event.

In her welcome message, DSWD 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero emphasized that the program’s success relies heavily on how effectively trainers transfer their knowledge and skills to their trainees.

“Our tutors will play a vital role, especially in ensuring that, by the end of the sessions, our children will have the opportunity to read. For the YDWs, they must ignite interest and develop the skills of parents to become Nanay and Tatay tutors for their children. Ultimately, the program’s success depends on your ability, as our experts, to effectively impart these competencies,” stated Director Lucero.

The RToT aimed to establish a pool of subject-matter experts who will serve as resource persons in a series of capability-building activities for college students who will work as tutors and YWDs. This initiative is part of the program’s social preparation efforts.

The facilitators divided the participants into breakout groups based on their roles as tutors or youth development workers. They revisited the fundamentals of teaching and reading, practiced basic facilitation skills, received training on proper parenting, and reviewed guidebooks and modules designed for program beneficiaries.

This first Regional Training of Trainers happened following changes in its implementation procedures this year.

Dr. Tizza Marie Navarro, dean of the College of Special Needs, Early Childhood, and Lifelong Learning at Cebu Normal University and one of the resource persons, shared how the program has influenced her personal and professional life. Having been a partner for two years, she highlighted the importance of its focus on the welfare of children, particularly those who cannot afford expensive schools.

“The program has touched my life and work, especially as it prioritizes the welfare of vulnerable children who lack access to quality education. As an early childhood educator teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels, I deeply appreciate its mission,” Dr. Navarro shared.

Dr. Navarro conducted a comprehensive and engaging discussion on the module for tutors concerning pillars of reading, covering print awareness, phonemic awareness and phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension for the participants.

On March 21, following the final discussion sessions, participants committed to serve as resource persons for upcoming capability-building activities. They also committed to contributing to the continuous improvement of the program through reviews and evaluations as experts in the field of education.

The Regional Training of Trainers for Learning and Development of Tutors and Youth Development Workers marked a significant milestone in strengthening the Tara, Basa! Program. The initiative ensures that children, particularly those from vulnerable backgrounds, receive quality education and support by equipping educators and youth development workers with essential teaching methodologies and skills. ###

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