To provide additional support for students who are at risk of being left behind due to lower literacy than their peers, Ifugao State University (IFSU) in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) – Ifugao convened volunteers from the communities to be trained on tutorial strategies in reading and numeracy on November 3-4, 2022 at IFSU Lamut Campus and Lawig National High School (LNHS).

Dr. Jeng Jeng M. Bolintao, Dean of the College of Open Distance Education and Transnational Education (CODETE) and one of the project proponents, said the presence of 117 participants from the communities, Barangay Local Government Units, Philippine National Police, and schools is a manifestation of volunteerism which the activity wishes to intensify through tutorial sessions.

Ms. Sonia L. Loñez, Chair of the English Department of LNHS, expounded that said initiative is anchored in the “Brigada Pagbasa,” the national reading program of DepEd in response to the alarming poor learning results among students in the country.

Dr. Soraya T. Faculo, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd-Ifugao, meanwhile, lauded the partnership between the two agencies to maximize resources in addressing the high learning poverty rate in the communities through said literacy and numeracy advancement program.

Dr. Marissa P. Bulong, Vice President for Research Development, Extension, and Training who represented University President Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon said that the endeavor is proof of the University’s commitment to sustaining extension efforts which are crucial in the growth of communities.

“By achieving reading and numeracy skills, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 4 which is Quality Education will be achieved through an inclusive partnership that can begin at the local level through this collaborative extension activity that you are having now. You have important roles in achieving both SDGs 4 and 17 or Partnership for the Goals and in helping students develop 21st-century skills, " she said.

The program was realized through teamwork among the CODETE, College of Advanced Education (CAE), College of Education (COE) and LNHS, Alupapan Integrated School, Salamague Elementary School, and Nayon Elementary School, all in Lamut town, Ifugao.

Mr. Nelson Bungihan and Dr. Desiree Nangpuhan and Ms. Jean Calingayan facilitated the sessions for numeracy skills. English and Filipino language literacy skills were moderated by Dr. Jeng Jeng M. Bolintao and Dr. Eilene Bugnay; and Dr. Leudane L. Loñez and Dr. Alma C. Binwag, respectively.