Retired Teachers Urged to Help Boost Reading Skills of Pupils in Cebu City

A growing concern over reading proficiency among early-grade learners has prompted the Cebu City Council to approve a measure encouraging retired teachers to conduct free weekend reading classes in barangays.

Councilor Harold Go authored the resolution, which seeks to mobilize senior citizens, particularly former educators, to help address literacy gaps through volunteer-led sessions.

The measure cited recent data showing that around 47 percent of Grade 3 pupils in the city are not meeting expected reading benchmarks, raising concerns about their readiness for more advanced subjects.

“Grade 3 marks a crucial transition from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn,’” the resolution stated.

It warned that failure to reach reading proficiency at this stage could affect a learner’s long-term academic performance.

Under the approved proposal, senior citizens’ associations are encouraged to identify retired teachers willing to conduct reading sessions every Saturday for pupils in Grades 1 to 3 in their respective barangays.

Barangay councils are also requested to provide suitable learning spaces for the weekend classes.

The resolution further urges the Local School Board to consider engaging qualified senior citizens, particularly retired teachers, under job order arrangements, with honoraria drawn from the Special Education Fund, subject to existing government accounting and auditing rules.

The measure cites Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which promotes continued participation of older persons in community service and nation-building initiatives.

Go said retired teachers bring experience and expertise that can help struggling learners while allowing senior citizens to remain active in community programs.

The initiative is part of broader efforts by the city government to strengthen foundational literacy in early grades and improve learning outcomes across public schools.

If implemented, the program will be rolled out at the barangay level to make reading support more accessible to pupils who need additional assistance outside regular class hours. (LLP)

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