Seven Bajau children undergo summer classes handled by the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Parent Leaders who act as tutors in Maasin Learning Center, Zamboanga City.

The program opened an opportunity to capacitate Pantawid Parent Leaders in the literacy initiatives of the school for the entire duration of summer and even during regular school days.

The program aims to help and develop school children to improve their academic performance.

The pupils undergo daily tutorial lessons in reading, spelling, and story-telling from 8:30 until 11:00 in the morning. The school has provided a conducive learning area with resource materials to facilitate learning.

The Twenty one Pantawid Parent Leaders, who volunteered for the literacy program, were properly trained and guided by lectures and modules.

Teachers in Maasin Learning Center have taken part in this initiative and have seen the abilities of the Pantawid parent-tutors to effectively deliver the sessions that are based on specific needs of the children to include those who are non-Bajaus.

Since the inception of the program in 2015, the Department of Education has seen behavioral changes and improvement in school performance among students.

“Over the years, we have seen parents come to school every now and then. The children learn faster and better while the parents feel empowered for being hands-on tutors to children,” said Sherwin Saavedra, Elementary School Principal of Maasin Learning Center.