Sowing the Seeds of Stewardship: An Exploration of Voluntary Services of Barangay Education Workers’ Experiences with Non-Readers’ Learners
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2026.202Keywords:
Barangay Education Workers, Community engagement, Non-reader learners, Qualitative study, Voluntary literacy programsAbstract
This qualitative phenomenological research explored the lived experiences of eleven (11) Barangay Education Workers (BEWs) providing voluntary literacy services to non-readers in the Santa Cruz North District, Davao del Sur. While community involvement is vital, the specific roles of BEWs in addressing reading difficulties remain underexplored in the Philippine basic education context. Data were collected through semi structured key informant interviews and analyzed using the Stevick Colaizzi-Keen method of thematic analysis. Results revealed three major themes: (1) Balancing Challenges and Rewards, which highlights resource limitations and time constraints balanced by altruistic motivation; (2) Enablers of Literacy Empowerment, identifying BEWs as advocates and community catalysts; and (3) Comprehensive Growth Through Literacy, documenting improvements in learners’ reading skills, confidence, and social habits. The study concludes that volunteer-led programs significantly enhance foundational reading but require structured institutional support and training to remain sustainable.
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