The University of Baguio High School (UBHS) officially launched its Reading Advancement Program (UBHS-RAP) on August 11, 2025, during the Revitalized Homeroom Guidance Program (RHGP) period. This school-wide initiative is UBHS’s proactive response to the ongoing learning crisis in the Philippines, to strengthen the reading proficiency of all Junior and Senior High School learners.
Program Objective of the Reading Advancement Program
At the heart of UBHS-RAP is the goal of enabling students to reach at least a B1 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) reading level, a benchmark that ensures learners can function as independent, fluent, and purposeful readers. Beyond the ability to decode texts, the program develops higher-order comprehension, enriches vocabulary, and nurtures a love for reading that extends beyond the classroom. By equipping learners with these skills, UBHS prepares them not only for academic success but also for the challenges of higher education, careers, and citizenship in a knowledge-driven society.
Program Structure
- Supervised Reading Hour – Conducted weekly during RHGP, this adviser-led session follows a structured approach of Modeling, Guided Practice, and Independent Practice, ensuring that learners progressively build confidence and comprehension.
- Independent Reading Hour (IRH) – A dedicated weekly library session where learners choose from CEFR-leveled texts, record their progress in RHGP notebooks, and reflect on their reading journey. The IRH emphasizes independence, self-paced learning, and personal engagement with texts.
Key People Involved
The program’s success lies in strong collaboration among its key participants. Class advisers lead structured reading activities, guide students, and monitor their growth. Junior High School and Senior High School library staff ensure smooth access to reading materials, assist learners in selecting appropriate books, and maintain records of their progress. Meanwhile, student assistants support daily library operations and help foster a positive, peer-led reading culture that motivates students to engage actively in the program.
Process & Timeframe
Supervised sessions build comprehension through interactive activities, while IRH develops fluency and reading stamina, and independence. Student progress is monitored via Library Monitoring Sheet (LMS), Reading Passports, or Digital Journals. Each class from Grades 7 to 12 is given one hour weekly for both activities, ensuring consistent practice.
At the launch, the UBHS RAP, an initiative to promote a culture of reading in action, students eagerly selected their first books for their IRH, an inspiring start that signals a movement where reading becomes not just a classroom requirement but a lifelong habit. The atmosphere reflected the school’s belief that every page turned brings students closer to empowerment, resilience, and a brighter future.
UBHS-RAP extends its impact beyond literacy, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Advancing inclusive and equitable learning opportunities through literacy.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Ensuring all learners, regardless of background, have access to reading resources.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Promoting eco-literacy by encouraging reading materials on environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and sustainability.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Strengthening collaboration among teachers, librarians, students, and the broader school community.
The UBHS Reading Advancement Program is more than just a literacy initiative—it is a transformative movement that nurtures both the mind and the heart of every learner. Beyond improving reading comprehension, the program aspires to cultivate critical thinkers who can analyze, question, and contribute meaningfully to society. It aims to mold informed citizens who are aware of the world around them and equipped with the knowledge to make sound decisions. Most importantly, it fosters lifelong learners who see reading not merely as an academic task, but as a gateway to growth, empathy, and empowerment.
As UBHS proudly declares, “Strong readers build strong communities!” The call to join the UBHS Reading Advancement Program is an invitation to be part of a culture that values learning, achievement, and positive transformation—because when we read, we achieve, and when we achieve, we create lasting change.
