COMPENSATION. College students receive payment for their 20-day work as tutors to struggling readers in Samar province in this Aug. 2, 2024 photo. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Eastern Visayas has released payment to 375 college students who took part in the tutorial program. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Region 8)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) has released payment to 375 college students who took part in a 20-day tutorial program to enhance the reading capabilities of elementary students in Samar province.
The DSWD said in a statement Monday that it led the payout at the Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City and Samar State University (SSU) in Catbalogan City on Aug. 1 and 2.
Each student received a maximum amount of PHP8,100, equivalent to the 20-day learning sessions from July 1–26.
In the province, the program covered 19 municipalities and two cities, serving 1,981 learners and 1,977 parents.
During the payout, one tutor shared with DSWD that more than the incentive he received, he enjoyed the opportunity to impart his knowledge which made a difference to the parents.
“As a future teacher, I was able to help our community and our parents by sharing my knowledge. I am very thankful to DSWD because aside from helping the community, we are also learning through this experience,” said John Michael Bacurio, a secondary education student from SSU.
The DSWD regional office located in this city is set to conduct the payout for parents in the next two weeks.
Dubbed “Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program” (TBTP), it deployed tutors and youth development workers (YDWs) to help improve the reading capabilities of struggling elementary pupils and carry out family development sessions for parents or guardians.
As per TBTP guidelines, each tutor handled a maximum of 10 learners and one YDW for a maximum of 50 parents or guardians.
In return for their service, tutors receive a PHP405 daily pay, equivalent to the prevailing daily minimum wage in the region, for their 20-day work.
Tutors and YDWs are college students from poor families. Tutors will focus on teaching children to read, while YDWs are tasked with empowering parents as their first teachers at home.
Parents and guardians of child beneficiaries are also provided with PHP235 daily under the cash-for-work scheme by the DSWD.
The cash rewards are given to parents and guardians for attending these sessions and assisting their children in preparing their needs for learning and reading and in their after-reading assignments. (PNA)
