DOrSU, Badas NHS Forge Partnership to Boost Literacy, Research Skills through Program L.E.A.R.N.
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) and Badas National High School (NHS) officially sealed their partnership on June 10, 2025, through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held at the University Boardroom. This collaboration marks the full implementation of Program L.E.A.R.N.—Literacy Enhancement on Analysis (Reading), Research, and N.E.W.S.—a flagship research and extension initiative of DOrSU’s Bachelor of Secondary Education–English Program under the Faculty of Teacher Education (FTEd).
The program aims to empower students and educators with essential skills in research, campus journalism, and reading analysis. It encompasses three core components: (1) Project N.E.W.S. (Nurturing Effective Writers and Storytellers), which offers a workshop series tailored for school paper advisers and journalists to develop essential skills in journalism and storytelling; (2) Project I.N.Q.U.I.R.Y. (Inspire New Questions, Understand Insights, Research Yields), which focuses on cultivating critical thinking and research capabilities in students; and (3) Project R.E.A.D. (Reading Encouragement and Academic Development), which provides tailored support to improve reading skills and foster academic growth.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement, DOrSU will offer its academic expertise, conduct training workshops, and regularly monitor the program’s progress. They will also collaborate closely with Badas NHS to ensure effective implementation of the initiative. In turn, Badas NHS will facilitate the program’s execution, engage stakeholders, and provide necessary facilities for workshops and activities.
In his message during the MOA signing, DOrSU President Dr. Roy G. Ponce congratulated the team behind the program and expressed his appreciation for its relevance and inclusivity. He underscored the urgency of addressing literacy challenges, citing the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), which revealed that 18.9 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are functionally illiterate. “This initiative is our commitment to bridging that gap,” he added. He further lauded Program L.E.A.R.N. for its balanced design that caters to diverse learners and expressed the university’s full commitment to the partnership.
Dr. Alvielou M. Villanueva, school head of Badas NHS, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the partnership, calling it a “remarkable milestone” for the school. “This project directly addresses the pressing issue of illiteracy in our communities,” she said, affirming her school’s full support.
Also present at the ceremony were Dr. Mary Fil M. Bauyot, Director for Extension; Dr. Helina Jean P. Dupa, Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Education; and the faculty members of the BSEd-English Program led by Program Head Ms. Joanna Marie B. Escalante.
This partnership signals a shared commitment to educational innovation, literacy advancement, and community empowerment, turning classrooms into platforms for future-ready, articulate, and critically literate Filipinos.
