On March 19, 2025, Mindanao State University – General Santos City reaffirmed its commitment to educational service and community development as it proudly announced its continued partnership with DSWD Region XII in the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.
Led by the College of Education, this initiative is designed to provide vital academic support to struggling readers in South Cotabato, Sarangani, and General Santos City through community-based tutoring sessions. The program embodies MSU-GenSan’s mission of fostering inclusive, transformative education that reaches beyond the classroom and into communities that need it most.
Under the program, College of Education students undergo careful training to become effective, compassionate tutors. These student-volunteers are then assigned to public elementary schools across the region, where they work directly with disadvantaged learners who require additional support in reading. By delivering targeted, one-on-one and small-group tutoring sessions, the program aims to strengthen literacy skills at an early age—a crucial foundation for lifelong learning and academic success.
Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas expressed gratitude for the trust and partnership extended by DSWD XII, recognizing the program’s significance in addressing educational gaps and promoting social equity. “We are honored and grateful to be a key partner of DSWD XII in the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program,” Chancellor Abantas shared. “This initiative allows us to train our students not just as educators, but as advocates for change who are committed to uplifting disadvantaged readers in our communities.”
Beyond improving literacy, the Tara, Basa! program also nurtures a strong sense of civic responsibility and service among MSU-GenSan students. By engaging with local schools and communities, the university’s future educators gain invaluable real-world experience, cultural sensitivity, and empathy—qualities essential for creating inclusive and effective learning environments.
MSU-GenSan’s participation in the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program also reflects its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Through active collaboration with government agencies like DSWD XII, the university continues to champion educational access and quality for all learners, particularly those who face the greatest barriers.
As the program moves forward, MSU-GenSan remains committed to working hand in hand with partners, communities, and students to build a brighter, more equitable academic future for children across the SOCSARGEN region.
