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Programang Bumasa at Matuto
Koronadal IPs enjoy Summer Reading Program
Six hundred fifty kids ages 4-12 years old and 8 parents ages 16-45 belonging to indigenous peoples (IPs) from far flung areas of the City of Koronadal enjoy summer while learning how to read through the continuing summer reading program of City Mayor Peter B. Miguel tagged as Programang Bumasa at Matuto aimed at helping the children and adults alike how to read and understand words.
Eleven Local School Board teachers (LSB) volunteered to share their knowledge and skills to this group of people who has less access to basic skills owing to their location. The main goal of the Mayor in pursuing the program is to help the children enhance and develop their reading skills and also to inculcate in the minds of the young generation the 8 core values of the City of Koronadal. Adults are also welcomed by the program for their willingness to learn despite their ages.
Programang Bumasa at Matuto is a seven-week summer reading program that serves hundreds of children four days a week from April 17-May 25, 2012.
This summer reading class was launched at Sitio Takilay, Barangay Saravia on April 17, 2012. One week classes would then be conducted and where LSB volunteer teachers would have to go to community and stay there for the duration of the program. Areas that were already successfully visited by the LSB teachers were Sitio Takilay, Sitio Tolosa, Sitio Dungan Lahek all of B/Saravia, Sitio New Leyte of B/Topland, Purok Damsite of B/Cacub, Purok Urban Poor and Sitio Upper Acub of B/San-Isidro. Next destinations would be at Sitio Cadidang and Sitio Supon of B/San Jose, Purok B’laan of B/Magsaysay and Purok Roxas, B/Esperanza.
A module for five sessions is followed for all grade levels containing lessons on how to read and understand simple words, phrases and paragraphs. This is an early literacy program that helps children build reading and language skills thereby preparing them for success, developing early language skills, motivating children to read and discuss, and encouraging them to experience the joy of reading.
Joanne Ramos, one of the LSB volunteer teachers, said that she was happy teaching the children because she could see their eagerness to learn and that they would always attend every session. She also said that she could feel their excitement to listen and learn new things. She added that even the parents of the children were also eager to learn and also benefited from the program. Gauging from their attendance, the average daily participation rate over the week had been 100 percent and enrollees were expected to increase while the program was still going on according to Ramos.
Finally, Ramos said that the program gained a positive summer learning experience not only for the children but also for them as they interacted with the community.
By: Airyn B. Sucion
