Project RISE trained more than 30 student volunteers from the BAELS/BALCS, BEED Language Education, and BSED Science and Mathematics programs to serve as Reading Ambassadors in the upcoming Grade 1 Pre-Assessment for the second cohort of RISE partner schools.

On June 5, 2026, the student volunteers gathered at the ICT Laboratory of the College of Education at Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) for the whole-day RISE Reading Ambassadors’ Training. The activity prepared the volunteers for their upcoming field assignments and introduced them to the objectives, procedures, and responsibilities involved in supporting the project’s early literacy initiatives.

The training provided participants with an overview of Project RISE (Reading Initiatives with Stakeholders Engagement), highlighting its commitment to strengthening literacy development among young learners through stakeholder collaboration, teacher capacity-building, and research-informed interventions. It also emphasized the important role of Reading Ambassadors in facilitating assessment activities and helping gather information that will guide the project’s efforts to address learners’ literacy needs.

To ensure that the volunteers were equipped for their assignments, the training included an orientation on the assessment tools, administration procedures, and protocols to be observed during the Grade 1 pre-assessment. Participants were guided on how to administer the assessment properly and consistently, with emphasis on following the prescribed procedures and creating an appropriate assessment experience for young learners. A key component of the training was the paired simulation activity, during which volunteers practiced administering the assessment tools in simulated situations. Through these hands-on exercises, they had the opportunity to apply what they had learned, familiarize themselves with the assessment process, and receive feedback on their performance. The activity helped strengthen their confidence and readiness to carry out their responsibilities in the field. Following the training, the Reading Ambassadors were scheduled for deployment to 10 RISE partner schools and three additional schools to conduct the Grade 1 pre-assessment beginning the following week. The assessment will help gather valuable baseline data on learners’ literacy skills, providing information that can support the project’s monitoring, research, and planning of appropriate literacy interventions. The training reflects Project RISE’s commitment to engaging university students in meaningful community-based initiatives while providing them with practical opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in educational settings. By involving student volunteers in the assessment process, the project strengthens collaboration between the university and partner schools in advancing early literacy.

Project RISE extends its appreciation to all the student volunteers for their time, enthusiasm, and willingness to contribute to the project. Their participation demonstrates how collaboration among future educators, university students, teachers, and other stakeholders can help support literacy development and promote better learning opportunities for young learners.