Empowering ERDA SaBaNa junior educators: strengthening community-based learning through Rise Up for Catch-Up

Rise Up for Catch-Up is a capacity-building project implemented by Team ERDAguyod during the second semester of SY 2024-2025, under the DEV 107: Project Management course. The team consists of seven third-year and one fourth-year AB Development Studies students from Ateneo de Manila University. Members include Reynelle Ma-ao (Project Manager), Johanna Templo (Project Deputy), Christiana Medrana (Documentation and Creatives Head), Kinah Montesa (External Relations Head), Jeanette Tolosa (Secretariat Head), Gabriel Verona (Finance and Logistics Head), Erika Villanueva (Programs Head and Content Specialist), and Farrel Tiu (Consultant). Guided by Dr Mark Anthony D Abenir, the project was implemented in partnership with the Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation Inc, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting marginalized Filipino children and youth through educational and developmental programs. Team ERDAguyod collaborated specifically with ERDA SaBaNa (Samahan ng mga Batang Nanambakan), one of ERDA’s field offices and development centers located in Tondo, Manila.

After conducting a thorough needs assessment in ERDA SaBaNa during the first semester, community members shared that many students struggle with foundational academic skills, particularly in basic computation and reading comprehension. In response to these educational challenges, ERDA SaBaNa implements the Catch-Up Program. In this initiative, community-based youth tutors, known as Junior Educators (JEs), support younger students through peer tutoring sessions. However, the program has faced persistent challenges, including organizational limitations that have been further exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions caused by severe weather. As a result, the frequency of sessions and the training of new JEs have become inconsistent, putting at risk the continued learning progress of the program’s primary stakeholders as they move through grade levels. In light of these challenges, Rise Up for Catch-Up was developed as a timely and targeted intervention aimed at addressing the program’s sustainability and strengthening its capacity to deliver consistent, high-quality peer education.

As its name suggests, Rise Up for Catch-Up seeks to empower the youth to rise up in revitalizing and sustaining the Catch-Up Program. To realize this goal, the project implemented a structured sequence of workshops and a mock simulation designed to build the capacities of current and potential JEs. These components aimed to develop the participants’ effectiveness as community-based tutors. The five key activities included: an Orientation (15 March), Workshop 1: Foundational Skills for Personal Development (30 March), Workshop 2: Critical Teaching Skills (5 April), a Mock Simulation (26 April), and a Culmination Activity (3 May). By addressing skill gaps, providing hands-on practice, and incorporating monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, the project sought to increase both the quality and consistency of the tutoring sessions, ultimately contributing to broader goals of youth empowerment and community development.

To ensure the project’s relevance and responsiveness, the team grounded its design in community input and expert consultation. Teachers, education specialists, and community tutors were engaged to provide insights on program content and delivery. In addition, the group conducted a Training Needs Assessment [TNA] to gauge participants’ self-assessed confidence and interests in teaching-related areas. The TNA also captured data on participants’ motivation, commitment levels, and perceived needs for personal and professional development. Insights from the TNA directly informed the content of the workshops. Specifically, Workshop 1 focused on Self-Esteem and Leadership Skills, as well as Communication and Public Speaking, while Workshop 2 emphasized Lesson Planning and Child Behavior Management – two areas identified as needing the most support.

With this foundation in place, the implementation of Rise Up for Catch-Up was made possible through the collaborative efforts of ERDA Foundation, the generous donations from various sponsors, and the tireless efforts of Team ERDAguyod. The workshops featured seasoned speakers whose expertise enriched the learning experience. For Workshop 1, Ms Vina Vidal Vicente, an author and Chief Learning Officer at BV&S PPL Biz, shared strategies for building self-esteem and leadership skills, guiding participants on managing their responses to experiences and empowering them to become victors in their own lives. She was followed by Mr JR Santiago, a seasoned advocate and educator from Ateneo de Manila University and a former Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns at the Presidential Communications Operations Office during the administration of former President Benigno "NoyNoy" Aquino III. His engaging session provided participants with practical techniques to enhance their communication and public speaking abilities, equipping them with the confidence to engage learners meaningfully. 

Workshop 2 continued the capacity-building journey by delving into the pedagogical core of tutoring. Facilitated by Ms Ann Tadeo-Tomas and Mr Jan Tomas, authors of ERDA’s DEARME and MATHEMAGICA modules used in Catch-Up Sessions, the workshop utilized an activity-based approach to training. Participants learned to design child-friendly lesson plans and manage children’s behavior. During the workshop, they actively created their lesson plans, engaged in peer evaluation, role-played teaching scenarios, and explored appropriate teaching materials for different subjects. This ensured that the training was both practical and learner-centered.

The training culminated in a Mock Simulation or Practice Teaching Day, allowing participants to integrate and apply their learning in a realistic setting. To support them in this task, participants were given printed modules summarizing all workshop content. They were grouped in pairs (with one triad due to an odd number) and assigned teaching prompts in Math, Araling Panlipunan, or Reading Comprehension, tailored for fictional Grades 3 to 5 learners. In preparation for the event, participants consulted with Team ERDAguyod online and met up with their partners in ERDA SaBaNa to work on their presentations. On 26 April 2025, participants presented to a panel composed of one education expert and two Team ERDAguyod members. Each presentation lasted 12 to 15 minutes, followed by 5 to 8 minutes of constructive feedback.