The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program’s Regional Program Management Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7 – Central Visayas conducted a one-day orientation with its incoming and existing partners on December 10, 2024 in Cebu City.

This is part of the social preparation activity of the RPMO to ensure that all players of the implementation are well-informed, aligned, updated, and equipped to contribute to its implementation in 2025.

The major topics discussed during the activity are the orientation on the program and its enhanced guidelines, 2024 accomplishments, and the presentation of the 2025 targets and plans.

The orientation included a comprehensive presentation on the Enhanced Guidelines for Program Implementation, critiquing the 2024 Memorandum of Agreement with DepEd and State/Local Colleges and Universities.

The activity is critical, especially for new partners, to familiarize the program’s objectives, methodologies, and expectations, and gives a clear understanding of their responsibilities and the program’s framework.

Through the activity, program partners had the opportunity to raise critical questions, concerns, suggestions, and recommendations that will help improve the 2025 implementation. This includes highlighting the importance of the local government units’ contribution through their administrative and logistical support, grievance system clarifications, and possible involvement of field experts in the Nanay-Tatay sessions, among other significant matters.

Presentation of 2024 Accomplishments

Tara, Basa! has achieved significant milestones in 2024. On May 17, 2024, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) approved Administrative Order No. 10, establishing the National and Regional Program Management Offices. DSWD issued Memorandum Circular No. 29 on July 30, 2024, following AO 10, outlining the guidelines for its implementation.

Furthermore, the national government officially recognized the program as its flagship initiative through Executive Order No. 76.

A key aspect of the program’s success is its focus on empowering youth through training and financial support. The program has equipped 676 college students with the skills to serve as tutors and youth development workers. In recognition of their efforts, these students also received cash-for-work compensation, providing them with valuable experience and financial assistance while enabling them to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

The program also emphasized the importance of family involvement in education. Through the Nanay-Tatay Teacher Sessions, 3,701 parents, parent substitutes, and guardians joined, strengthening the family support system for learners. This collaborative approach fostered a supportive environment for children’s academic growth.

The impact of Tara, Basa! is evident in the improved reading proficiency of 3,761 learners who participated in the program’s reading sessions. By addressing literacy challenges and engaging key stakeholders, the initiative continues to make strides toward nurturing a generation of proficient readers and active learners.

Representatives from the Local Government Units of Cebu Province, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, State/Local Universities and Colleges, and the Department of Education Schools Divisions attended the orientation.

The Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program is DSWD’s reimagined educational assistance initiative that fosters a learning ecosystem. It empowers college students by equipping them with skills to serve as tutors for underprivileged or struggling readers in public elementary schools and as youth development workers (YDWs) to facilitate Nanay-Tatay learning sessions. ###

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