With the implementation of the Urban Service with a Guide (USWAG) project, Bicol University College of Education, through the National Training Service Program (NSTP), entered into a collaboration with the Department of Education - Schools Divisions of Legazpi and Albay for a tutee-mentor program. The ceremonial MOA signing was held at the BUCE Dean’s Office on March 16, 2023.  

Together with DepEd’s Learning Recovery Program, BUCE’s USWAG will facilitate learning by utilizing various teaching methods and delivery modes, appropriate to the learning styles of the students chosen for the program. BUCE will identify the faculty, NSTP-NSRC volunteers, parents, alumni, and students who will participate in the capacity building on implementing the best practices and pedagogies of USWAG.

The tutoring-mentoring is a 45-minute to an-hour program, conducted once a week face-to-face or through online platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Messenger. The mentoring program will focus on the following subjects: English (Reading, Writing), Filipino (Pagbasa, Pagsulat), Mathematics, and Science, which will also depend on the student’s needs after the assessment. 

The teacher-volunteers are the BU NSTP-NSRC alumni or graduates of the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS), recommended by BUCE and BU NSTP. According to the MOA, they will first undergo an interview and mentoring training, to meet the goals and vision of the “Urban Service with a Heart- Adopt a Tutee Program.”

Meanwhile, the DepEd SDO Legazpi and Albay will recommend the tutees coming from Grades 2-10 of the following endorsed beneficiary schools namely; Cabangan National High School, Albay Central School, San Jose National High School- Malilipot, and Malabog National High School. 

The signatories in the MOA are BU President Baby Boy Benjamin D. Nebres III, Crestito M. Morcillo, Schools Division Superintendent of SDO Legazpi, Norma B. Samantela, Schools Division Superintendent of SDO Albay, Prof. Eduard Thaddeus Livica Jr., BUNSTP Director, Dr. Lorna M. Miña, BUCE Dean, Dr. Marivie B. Trivette, NSTP Focal Person, Portia T. Encisa, CIP Chief, other guests and attendees from BU and DepEd. 

The program will run starting this year until May 2025.  (by Arnold C. Noda, MPS I-CPRO)

Photos by: Cherry Grace H. Calisin, CPRO