According to the World Bank’s 2022 data on learning poverty, at least 90% of Filipino children aged 10 struggle to read or understand simple text. This disturbing reality highlights the monumental work that government and partners must undertake in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals which calls for ensuring that all youth achieve literacy and numeracy by 2030.
Spearheaded by passionate education advocates, Zn Wi Suan Tiu (Program Director) and Zn Laarni Wang, Zonta Club Cebu II, in partnership with the Cebu City Public Library, launched an initiative aimed at eradicating learning poverty through Basa Na Ta! (Let’s Read) remedial reading program. It is an early intervention program that focuses on helping children learn the specific reading skills required for their grade and become fluent readers.
Underprivilege chidren aged 6-8, assessed as struggling or non-readers, were selected for the program. At the end of the 6 weeks intensive interactive instruction by trained tutors, participants were up to par in grade level reading. Some exceeded grade level expectations.
“Teach a child to read and you change a life forever.” Through Basa Na Ta! Zonta Club Cebu II is transforming lives one child at a time.
VIDEO LINK: Basa Na Ta Week 6
