On August 20, 2024, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro City East Urban (RC CDO East Urban), in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, officially launched a unique reading program aimed at supporting Grade 7 students in developing reading comprehension skills. This initiative is also in line with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) “Every Child a Reader” program.
The program stands out by establishing a dedicated Reading Center outside school premises, generously provided by the LGU of Villanueva under the leadership of Mayor Hon. Jenny Rosalie Uy Mendez, who is also an active member of RC CDO East Urban. This center is designed to offer focused reading tutorials conducted by a trained Reading Teacher, providing a supportive environment for students who need assistance in becoming independent readers.
Feedback from a pilot project conducted between April and June 2024 indicated the need for more frequent tutorial sessions, with a focus on Grade 7 students, who were identified as the most in need of assistance. As a result, for Rotary Year 2024-2025, the program will cater to 40 Grade 7 learners, with tutorials scheduled from Monday to Thursday, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and additional sessions on Fridays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The center has recently been equipped with a television set, courtesy of Ms. Pat Bales through RC CDO East Urban. The club will also provide the honorarium for the Reading Teacher and snacks for the learners, while the LGU Villanueva will handle transportation and the maintenance of the center. DepEd Misamis Oriental will identify the students who will benefit from the program and conduct periodic assessments to monitor their progress over the course of 24 sessions, scheduled from September to November 2024.
The Memorandum of Agreement for this collaborative effort was signed by Mayor Hon. Jenny Rosalie Uy Mendez, RC CDO East Urban President Christina M. Jugador for Rotary Year 2024-2025, and Schools Division Superintendent Edilberto Oplinaria of Misamis Oriental, during a formal ceremony held at the Municipal Mayor’s Conference Room in Villanueva.
This initiative highlights the shared commitment of RC CDO East Urban, LGU Villanueva, and DepEd Misamis Oriental to enhance educational opportunities for young learners, ensuring that every child has the chance to succeed in their academic journey.
