Written by Kristine Gabrielle F. Banggawan | Photos by STELA-SB, Kristine Gabrielle F. Banggawan & Norman Patiang
The School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) successfully concluded its outreach program, “Pages of Progress,” at Kias Elementary School. The initiative began on February 26, 2026, and continued on the succeeding Thursdays of each week, culminating on March 19. The program is also expected to resume in the next school year to ensure continuity of support for its learners.
Pages of Progress is a reading intervention program designed to assist elementary learners experiencing difficulties in reading. Implemented in coordination with Kias Elementary School, the initiative focused on identifying learners’ reading levels through an initial assessment, then providing targeted support through structured and specified intervention sessions.
Student mentors from the Bachelor of Arts in English Language (BAEL), Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED), and Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) actively participated in the program. They conducted one-on-one sessions with selected learners from Grades 1 to 5, offering guided reading instruction and personalized assistance to help improve comprehension, pronunciation, and overall reading proficiency. These sessions created a supportive learning environment where pupils could build confidence while developing essential literacy skills.
As the program concluded, the STELA Student Body extended its support beyond academics by distributing hygiene kits to the learners of Kias Elementary School following their one-on-one sessions. This gesture aimed to promote both educational development and the overall well-being of the students.
This reading initiative directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by promoting inclusive and equitable access to foundational literacy skills. By providing targeted interventions to learners who require additional support, the program helps ensure that no child is left behind in acquiring essential reading competencies. Furthermore, it aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, as it addresses learning gaps among students and provides equal opportunities for academic improvement regardless of their background or current skill level.
Finally, Pages of Progress was established not only to improve literacy among young learners but also to serve as a platform for university students to give back to the community. For students in teacher education programs, the initiative provided valuable hands-on teaching experience, allowing them to apply pedagogical knowledge in real-world settings while fostering a deeper sense of social responsibility.
STELA faculty engages discussion with the Kias Elementary School Principal: Sir Nickcarter Junior Gonzalo, regarding the program and potential future outreach initiatives.
