Community-based peer-teaching and tutorial program proposed for Baguio students

Baguio City, Philippines – To ease the burden of students in complying with the quality requirements under the new normal set up, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Levy Lloyd Orcales proposed an ordinance ‘seeking to establish a community-based peer teaching and tutorial program for students in the city.’

In a press release, the Sangguniang Panlungsod-Baguio disclosed that the SK Federation President adopted the proposal of Barangay Irisan youth leaders through SK Chairperson Carla Joy Cacho and Youth Officers Cheralyn Kate Dumapis, Neonick Kindipan, and Gwyneth Pooten.

Orcales’ ordinance is set to be approved on first reading in the city council’s regular session on October 18, 2021. This will cover all learners in the city.

Ensuring attainment of program goals

According to SP-Baguio, as a strategy to ensure that the goals will be met, a peer support group in every barangay shall be created and chaired by the barangay captain, with the barangay council’s committee on education as the vice chairperson and the SK Chairperson as the action officer.

Members will include the SK kagawads, unit social worker from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), representatives from the Local Youth Development Council, and representatives from the faith sector.

Schedule of tutorials and peer teaching sessions

SP-Baguio explained that each barangay peer support group shall ‘schedule tutorials and peer teaching sessions and make progress reports of the students/tutees to be attached to the SK and Barangay Annual Reports.’

Every barangay shall designate an area where the tutorial shall take place.

Families shall be given copies of waivers or application letters to sign indicating that they allow their child or children to join the program.

City Government to adopt Civil Service Commission for Tutors guidelines

The City Government of Baguio shall be adopting the guidelines provided by the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 14, Series of 2018 to be applied for tutors under the program.

Tutors shall earn experience merit to be recognized as a relevant work experience acquired through volunteer work to meet the work experience of chosen employment.

A tutor shall render at least two hours of volunteer teaching in a day. A total of 80 hours shall be considered as one month, with every month given a corresponding point depending on the position the applicant is applying for. Online or on-site volunteer teaching shall also be considered.

Volunteer tutors will be trained by Baguio City Schools Division Office-DepEd (SDO-DepEd). The department may also coordinate with the universities for the volunteers’ training and check or monitor the quality of the teaching/tutorial modalities, giving technical assistance to the tutors and barangays if and when necessary.

Baguio City SDO-DepEd to monitor the learning activities under the program

The City SDO-DepEd shall monitor the learning activities under the program and assist all barangay peer groups in the identification, training, and recognition of peer tutors.

This is to ensure that all topics being presented under the program are in line with the vision and mission of education-related policies in the country.

The implementing Rules and Regulations shall be crafted by the SDO-DepEd Baguio 30 days upon the approval of the ordinance.