By Alberto Vicente/ June 13, 2024

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Government is seriously addressing literacy gap among students in the one of the poorest provinces in the country with the roll-out of the ‘Tara Basa!’ project.

The program implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development seeks to “address learning gaps while assisting financially challenged college students” in Lanao Sur.
The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) reports that the Tara Basa! project targets 2,070 elementary learners struggling with reading and 310 college students facing financial difficulties. DSWD region 10 Dir. Ramel Jamen said the project is being piloted in Marawi City and the town of Taraka in Lanao Sur.

The program will mobilize 207 education students and 103 social work students for a 20-day reading tutorial program. These volunteer students will receive educational assistance through the cash-for-work program of government.

The reading tutorials will involve the parents. Jamen said that this comprehensive approach guarantees the parents’ ability to assist their children, particularly when assignment guidance is required.

“Parents also need to be educated. When a child receives instruction and assignments, parents who lack the necessary teaching or reading skills cannot assist. Educating parents on what their child learns will enable them to provide support at home,” said Jamen.

(With reports from Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA-10/Photo: PIA-10)