Tutors commit to stop dropout rate among high school students
“I am grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the community and I look forward to be inspired by these children,” says Javier Alcázar, an Information
Technology professional who recently migrated from
Mexico and is now part of the 12th Batch of volunteer tutors of the KA•T•ON Barangay Junior Public High School Tutorial Program with Entrepreneurship
Exposure.
Javier is one of 25 new and returning volunteer tutors from diverse backgrounds who joined the recentlyconcluded IMPACT Volunteer Tutor Certification Workshop held in June 9 at City Sports Club Cebu. This whole-day Enabling and Equipping Workshop is a prerequisite for all Volunteer Tutors before they are assigned to the barangay of their choice.
The comprehensive workshop is a platform for new volunteer tutors to learn about the intention and mechanics of the tutorial program, learn more about each other, and is one aspect that new Volunteer Tutor, Marivi San Juan, finds beneficial. “I see a clear system for the tutorials, a structure that I can easily follow.”
While Marivi is new to the KA•T•ON Tutorial Program, she has been a longterm volunteer for other youth organizations. Now a semi-entrepreneur in her 60s, she says, “I figured it was time for me to get involved with the young ones again.”
On the other hand, the program has also attracted fresh graduates like 17-yearold Arianwen Ledesma. “Through KA•T•ON, I want to challenge myself by taking on the role of a mentor, capable of nurturing and honing the potentials of our country’s future.” A recent Senior High graduate, Arianwen was the only Filipino awarded in the Science and Engineering Fair in Arizona back in 2016 for her work with malunggay seeds.
The comprehensive and compelling Tutorial Program attracts the talents and skills of the likes of Javier, Marivi, and Arianwen, as well as other high-caliber junior executives and young professionals to form a volunteer pool that ensures quality mentorship on the academic foundation for its beneficiaries. Furthermore, the diversity and quality of the volunteers are intended to challenge the student beneficiaries to raise their standards, strive for excellence, and ultimately succeed in life.
The KA•T•ON Barangay Junior Public High School Tutorial Program with Entrepreneurship Exposure aims to arrest the alarming 57 percent dropout rate nationwide by motivating junior public high school students to stay in school. Annually, the program covers four regular cycles and one six-week summer cycle.
“I believe we should always do whatever we can to make the world a better place regardless of our countries, religions, and other differences. At this moment, I’m fortunate to be living here in the Philippines, so I’m doing my part here,” shares Javier.