BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Department of Education (DepEd) recognized two Tuguegarao schools—Carig Integrated School and Tagga Elementary School—for their grassroots reading initiatives, which have shown measurable success in improving student literacy.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara lauded the project as an example of how local schools, with DepEd’s backing, can create transformative programs anchored on community participation and parental engagement. 

“Parents play an indispensable role in fostering a love for reading and learning in their children. By dedicating time to read with their kids, they significantly boost their children’s literacy and academic performance. It’s a simple, cost-free way to make a profound impact on their future,” Secretary Angara said.

Painting the Community RED

In School Year 2022–2023, Carig Integrated School, with a student population of 1,337 students and 49 teachers, launched Project RED as part of its commitment to improving reading outcomes. The program specifically targets struggling readers and non-readers, offering tailored interventions that extend learning support beyond the classroom and into the home.

Parents also participate in Literacy Workshops and help create home-based reading spaces. The program’s Read-and-Repeat Routine builds fluency through repeated reading of familiar texts, with parents actively guiding their children.

“Project RED empowers parents to become our partners in education,” said Jovelyn V. Baquiran, School Reading Coordinator of Carig Integrated School. “By giving them tools and guidance, we create a powerful support system that uplifts every learner.”

Carig Integrated School’s Project RED exemplifies the goals of DepEd’s Every Child A Reader Program (ECARP), proving that with the committed partnership of parents and educators, every child can be given the chance to read, grow, and succeed.

The school reported significant improvements in reading proficiency for the 2023–2024 school year. For instance, the number of Grade IV students reading at the Frustration level dropped from 23.2% to 8.7%, while the Independent level rose from 34.8% to 43.5%. Similar gains were observed across Grades V to X, indicating the program’s impact.

Teaching Reading as Shared Responsibility

On the other hand, Tagga Elementary School in Tuguegarao City, with a population of 181 students and 9 teachers, also boasts the positive outcomes of its school-based reading initiative, “Basa Ko, Bahagi Ka.” This innovative program, initiated in September 2024, aims to improve the reading proficiency of learners by fostering a strong partnership between the school, families, and the community.

The program includes guided reading groups, parental workshops, and the use of Project INNOHUB—a learning center providing access to diverse reading materials. Designated home learning spaces and one-on-one tutoring are also part of the approach.

Phil-IRI assessments show progress across Grades 4 to 6 at the school. In English, a number of learners reached grade-level proficiency, with Grade 5 leading. In Filipino, Grade 6 showed strong gains, while no learners in Grade 3 fell under the “Lower Emergent” category.

“The ‘Basa Ko, Bahagi Ka’ initiative has truly transformed our approach to literacy. By engaging families and the community, we have created a supportive environment that nurtures our learners’ reading skills. The positive results we are seeing are a testament to the power of collaboration and shared responsibility,” Mr. Julious Ancheta, School Head of Tagga Elementary School, said.

DepEd said both initiatives support national literacy efforts, including the Bawat Bata Bumabasa program, ARAL, and Learning Camps, and demonstrate how localized strategies can achieve national goals.

The Department encouraged other schools to replicate these models and continue empowering families and communities as key partners in building a nation of readers.

*All Photos from The Pinoy OFW