Community Needs Assessment of Barangay Pinsao Proper: Basis for Outreach Program on Literacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67167/vertex.599Keywords:
Literacy, Needs Assessment, Community Outreach, Sustainable Development, Education Access, SDG 4, SDG 10Abstract
Literacy is a fundamental foundation for sustainable development and social inclusion. However, despite national policies and programs to promote literacy, communities like Barangay Pinsao Proper in Baguio City continue to face significant challenges in accessing quality learning opportunities across formal, non-formal, and informal domains. This study was conducted to assess the specific literacy needs of the barangay and to serve as the basis for a sustainable and inclusive outreach program by the University of Baguio. To gain a deeper understanding of the community’s needs, the researchers employed a qualitative descriptive approach. This allowed for a thorough document analysis of barangay records and community monitoring systems. These sources were complemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group interview with residents representing various age groups, occupations, and educational backgrounds. Results revealed key issues such as a high number of non-readers, low participation in vocational training, lack of literacy resources, and barriers related to poverty, digital access, and psychosocial factors. Based on these findings, the researchers proposed a three-year development plan that addresses the community’s needs through targeted programs including digital literacy, reading and numeracy tutorials, adult education, mental health awareness, and vocational training. The study emphasizes the need for collaborative, community-based interventions that contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), further offers a model for similar efforts in other underserved communities.
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