The Tara, Basa! The tutoring Program is a reformatted educational assistance initiative by the DSWD that fosters a comprehensive learning environment. This program empowers college students by training and assigning them as tutors to assist disadvantaged or struggling readers in public elementary schools. Additionally, these students serve as youth development workers (YDWs) who facilitate Nanay-Tatay learning sessions.
Launched in August 2023 and expanded in 2024, the program has reached 216,116 individuals, including parents, learners, and tutors. It is poised for further growth in 2025 and will extend across 11 regions targeting 207,000 individuals. Additionally, on November 27, 2024, it was designated as a flagship program of the National Government through Executive Order No. 76.
The “Tara, Basa!” Tutoring Program highlights the government’s commitment to tackling literacy challenges and empowering young minds. It reflects the belief that every child deserves an opportunity to succeed, regardless of background.
The EO brings together the DSWD, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Youth Council (NYC), State and Local Universities and Colleges (SLUCs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and other national government agencies and stakeholders to ensure the program’s successful implementation and expansion.
The program has supported 99,103 learners, 15,003 tutors, and 3,519 youth development workers as of 2024.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that the tutoring program provides a dual benefit: it empowers poor state college students to contribute to nation-building while helping them finish their college education.
The program’s success hinges on its community-based approach, engaging 15,003 student tutors and 3,519 youth development workers (YDWs) from low-income backgrounds. These individuals are trained and assigned to elementary schools to enhance the reading skills of grade school learners who are either struggling or non-readers. Additionally, they facilitate “Nanay-Tatay” teacher sessions for the parents of these students. The student tutors act as mentors, friends, and guides, forging strong connections with the children they support and nurturing a passion for learning.
Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School parent Orlando Oroszo expressed gratitude to President Marcos Jr. and Secretary Gatchalian for his children’s inclusion in the “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program”. “Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil malaking tulong sa akin at sa mga anak ko and programa. Natuto silang magbasa kahit sa konting panahon. Ngayon po, ‘yung anak ko na and nagtuturo sa kapatid niya sa pagbabasa. Kaya po sana, maipagpatuloy n’yo na tulungan ‘yung mga nahihirapang mag-tutor sa kanilang mga anak tulad ko na isang solo parent,” a teary-eyed Orosco said.
“This program has positively contributed to our growth and career goals,” said Querubin Ruiz Timogan, a tutor and a 4th-year B.S. Education student. Querubin, who also served as a tutor during the pilot implementation of the DSWD’s tutoring program last year, believes the experience will be vital to his future career as an educator.
“Napakaalwan po nito para sa amin lalo na kung ikukumpara sa dati,” noted Ayeen Jharifa Dirampaten Alip, a student of Mindanao State University.
Fulfillment in helping students read
Eliza Gaye Ruivivar, a City College of San Jose del Monte tutor, shared her heartwarming experience with the “Tara, Basa!” Program. She expressed a deep sense of fulfillment every time her students thanked her.
“No amount of money can compare to hearing that you’ve helped someone learn,” Eliza Gaye said. “It’s such a rewarding feeling to see my students talking and saying that they’ve become good readers because of me.” Rommel Aban, a former youth development worker (YDW) in the DSWD’s Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program has decided to continue his public service by working with the DSWD.
In 2023, Rommel served as a YDW, conducting “Nanay-Tatay” sessions focused on improving parenting skills, emphasizing the importance of education, and inspiring children to continue
their studies.
This comprehensive approach acknowledges that literacy is not solely about classroom learning, but also about creating a supportive environment at home.
“Before ‘Tara, Basa!’I was worried about my son’s reading,” shares Gina Jambo Guerrera, a parent of a student enrolled in Lingunan Elementary School in Valenzuela City. “He struggled to keep up with his classmates, and I felt helpless. However, the ‘Nanay-Tatay’ sessions changed everything. I learned how to help him at home, and now he is reading with more confidence.”
She believes that the “Nanay-Tatay” learning sessions highlight the crucial role of parents in their children’s education, emphasizing the importance of spending quality time with them.
Working both ways
The “Nanay-Tatay Learning Sessions” work both ways. The parents and guardians receive P235 per session of attendance. On the other hand, the college student mentors receive financial assistance equivalent to the daily minimum wage rate of the region per session for 20 days. Each tutorial lasts 2 to 3 hours. The learners take a test after the tutoring sessions to assess the effectiveness of both tutor-led and parental education.
Each beneficiary enrolled in their second to fourth year of college has received P12,480, which represents compensation for 20 reading sessions or “Nanay-Tatay” teacher sessions. The payout is based on the NCR’s regional daily minimum wage rate, which was P610 per day from July 1 to 16 and increased to P645 starting July 17.
Between September 20 and 22, 6,236 tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs) from seven cities in the National Capital Region (NCR)—Mandaluyong, Pasig, Marikina, San Juan, Pasay, Navotas, and Quezon City—received their cash-for-work payments.
In 2024, the agency disbursed P386,271,735.78 for the cash-for-work program, which benefited various participants. The beneficiaries included 62,418 parents, 8,174 tutors, and 2,434 youth development workers (YDWs).
Program sparks hope
The program has supported 99,103 learners, 15,003 tutors, and 3,519 youth development workers as of 2024.
The ‘Tara Basa!’ Tutoring Program has expanded to various regions across the Philippines. This shows its national reach and potential to transform lives in partnership with the LGUs in Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), and CALABARZON.
In its initial assessment, the program also saw a 5.5 percent increase in grade-schoolers reading better at their appropriate grade level. A comprehensive rapid literacy assessment (CRLA) verified that the number rose from 13,933 to 14,700 in 2023.
On the other hand, the agency’s latest reports show a significant improvement in reading scores among students in the program, with an average increase of 15 percent in reading comprehension. This means thousands of children are better equipped to succeed in their
studies and beyond.
The Future is bright
Social Welfare and Development for Innovations and Program Development Undersecretary Edu Punay said the program is exploring other expansion options in 2025.
For Calendar Year 2025, the program’s target implementation sites include the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon (Region III), CALABARZON (Region IV-A), MIMAROPA (Region IV-B), Bicol Region (Region V), Central Visayas (Region VII), Eastern Visayas (Region VIII),
Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX), Northern Mindanao (Region X), SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII), and Caraga (Region XIII).
Indeed, the “Tara, Basa!’ Tutoring Program is more than just a tutoring program. It is also a motivating force, a demonstration of the community’s power, and a symbol of the government’s commitment to building a brighter future for our children.
