On May 14, 2025, Mindanao State University – General Santos City reaffirmed its strong commitment to community development and literacy advocacy by taking part in the Pre-Deployment Program of Tutors and Youth Development Workers for the DSWD Tara, Basa Program. This important event marks another milestone in MSU-GenSan’s partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in advancing education and youth empowerment across the SOCSARGEN region.
Held in collaboration with DSWD Region XII, the pre-deployment program gathered student volunteers, youth development workers, faculty, and partner agency representatives to formally prepare and orient participants before they begin their service in various communities and municipalities.
Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas emphasized the significance of this collaboration, highlighting MSU-GenSan’s mission of transformative education that extends beyond classroom walls. Through this initiative, students from the College of Education will serve as tutors to children in need of literacy support, directly addressing gaps in foundational learning and contributing to the nation’s broader goal of inclusive education.
The Tara, Basa Program aims to improve reading proficiency and promote a culture of learning among disadvantaged children, particularly those in underserved and remote communities. By deploying trained tutors and youth development workers, the program provides targeted, community-based interventions that nurture academic growth and foster positive youth development.
During the pre-deployment program, participating students were given essential briefings on their roles, responsibilities, and best practices for engaging with learners in the field. Sessions focused on teaching strategies, community engagement, child protection, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that MSU-GenSan’s tutors are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in their assigned areas.
Chancellor Abantas expressed gratitude to DSWD XII for its partnership and trust in MSU-GenSan as an implementing partner. He also commended the dedication and service spirit of the student volunteers. “Our College of Education students embody the university’s vision of service, leadership, and excellence,” he shared. “Their willingness to serve in communities across the region shows our collective commitment to uplifting lives through education.”
MSU-GenSan’s involvement in the Tara, Basa Program reflects its unwavering dedication to nation-building and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. By empowering students to be active partners in development work, the university not only enhances their learning experience but also strengthens its role as a catalyst for positive change in Mindanao.
As these future educators prepare to share their knowledge and compassion in the field, MSU-GenSan stands proudly behind them, confident that their service will help create brighter, more equitable educational opportunities for the children of the SOCSARGEN region.
