The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Pangasinan State University (PSU) have partnered to pilot the “Tara, Basa! (Let’s Read) tutoring program, a flagship initiative of the Marcos administration aimed at addressing foundational literacy gaps among struggling learners while providing income opportunities for youth.

PSU president Elbert Galas, in a statement Friday, said that 100 student tutors and 50 youth volunteers from the Lingayen Campus, mostly sophomore and junior college students, will participate in the program.

“This initiative focuses on improving literacy and academic performance for underprivileged or at-risk children. It is aligned with PSU’s mission to provide quality and inclusive education for all,” Galas said.

The program has six components: capability-building for tutors and youth development workers, tutoring sessions for learners, workshops for parents, cash-for-work opportunities for tutors, cash-for-work opportunities for parents, and referral services.

Tutoring sessions will run for 20 days during the school break on May to June.

Tutors will be compensated based on the regional minimum wage rate after completing all 20 sessions.

Meanwhile, the parents or guardians of participating children will receive PHP235 per session completed, the DSWD confirmed. (PNA)