College students served as tutors for struggling grade school students, particularly those who are non-readers or have been significantly impacted by the disruptions caused by the pandemic. These tutors come from low-income families themselves.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has begun distributing cash assistance to college tutors and youth development workers involved in its Tara, Basa! literacy program.
The program, launched in July 2024, aims to address educational gaps among grade school learners while providing financial support to college students.
College tutors and youth development workers receive cash payments for conducting three-hour tutoring and parenting sessions with students and their parents.
“We have started distributing the first tranche of the cash-for-work of our college tutors and YDWs as the opening of classes is also approaching. This way, our beneficiaries can use their earnings for their school needs,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao in a news release.
The initial payout covers the first 10 sessions conducted, with each tutor and youth development worker receiving P468 per day. Rates may vary by region based on the prevailing minimum wage.
The Tara, Basa! program is a revamped version of the DSWD’s educational assistance program.
It targets college students from state universities and colleges while providing tutoring to struggling readers.
“It is now a part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to enhance the educational support for college students coming from state or local universities and colleges and, at the same time, assist grade school learners who are struggling or non-readers,” Dumlao explained.
The program began as a pilot project in the National Capital Region (NCR) in 2023.
Following its success, it has expanded to six regions across the Philippines: Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Calabarzon.
The tutoring sessions for the first batch of beneficiaries started on July 1 and will run until July 26, encompassing a total of 20 sessions.
