DSWD launches ‘Tara Basa’ program for kids with reading difficulties

Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary for Innovations Edu Punay. (File photo from INQUIRER.net/Jean Mangaluz)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) signed a memorandum of agreement with the provincial government of Bulacan and some state colleges and universities for the implementation of its reading program.

According to DSWD Undersecretary Eduardo Punay on Tuesday, the ‘Tara, Basa! the Tutoring Program’ will help children with reading difficulties or those who cannot read to learn and assist them in their education.

READ: Over 31,000 students benefit from DSWD’s pilot of ‘Tara, Basa’ program

“Hindi po tayo papayag na ang kabataan dito sa bayan ng mga maka-kata ay hirap magbasa. Kaisa po tayo ng ating pambansang bayani na si Gat Jose Rizal sa paniniwala na ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan. Kaya nararapat lamang na ating siguraduhin na ang kanilang kaalaman at kahandaan para sa isang maunlad na Bagong Pilipinas,” Punay said.

(We will not allow children here in the town of poets to have difficulties in reading. We are with our national hero, Jose Rizal, in the belief that children are the hope of the country. This is why we must make sure that they are knowledgeable and ready for a prosperous New Philippines.)

Under the program’s pilot implementation in Bulacan, 1,583 selected college students from Bulacan State University, Bulacan Polytechnic College, and City College of San Jose Del Monte will teach children reading, in exchange for cash.

The DSWD added that 13,188 incoming Grade 2 students who have difficulties reading and come from low-income families are among the province’s program beneficiaries.

READ: DSWD disbursed P59M so far for ‘Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program’

The program will also be launched in Quezon province, Western Samar, Marawi city, Lanao del Sur, and General Santos city.