The “Tara, Basa!” (Let’s Read!) tutoring program will adopt new guidelines in 2025 to ensure a better tutor-to-learner ratio for incoming Grade 2 students who are struggling readers or classified as non-readers.

Assistant Regional Director for Administration Tonyson Luther Lee of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Central Visayas, said Tuesday that the updated reading tutorial program will provide more tailored sessions to meet learners’ individual needs.

“The changes in Tara, Basa! will allow the program to expand across various local government units in Cebu province, including Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu cities,” Lee told the Philippine News Agency.

The new guidelines aim to enhance the ratio of youth development workers to parents in the Nanay-Tatay (Mother-Father) Teacher Parenting sessions, increase the number of target beneficiaries, and involve additional partners.

The Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) of the program recently conducted a year-end assessment and planning workshop in Cebu City.

The activity focused on strengthening knowledge and strategies to improve the national government’s initiative to enhance learners’ reading skills.

During the workshop, DSWD-7 staff shared insights from the 2024 implementation and proposed solutions, including dividing school assignments by local government unit, addressing grievances, streamlining the delivery of program kits and workbooks, and reducing documentation errors in master lists and payrolls.

“The recommendations include the hypothetical division of school assignments per local government unit, addressing grievances, scheduling the delivery of program kits and workbooks, and finding ways to streamline documentation processes to minimize errors in master lists and payrolls,” Lee said. (PNA)