Tula Learning Centers

TULA Learning Centers started in Metro Manila in 2015 to help Filipino school children unlock their full potential. TULA does this by strengthening academic weaknesses, and also helping children develop the character, attitude, and skills they need to succeed in the real world.  Thus TULA acts as both high-quality, affordable remediation and enrichment. Learning is increasingly a process that occurs outside of school as well as in the classroom, but unfortunately not every child has a strong support network at home. TULA is designed to help those children in need and any child who wants to learn. TULA stands for The Ultimate Learning Accelerator because the program aims to accelerate every child’s learning.

Activities at TULA include independent activities to strengthen practical Mathematics, spoken English, and other subjects that children find difficult. This can often involve technology and English or Mathematics apps. Group games are also a regular part of every TULA session and usually help practice one particular skills – e.g., idea generation. Missions are the core of a TULA session and they cover interesting real-world problems (e.g., Kid President, Lunch Builders, Growing up Strong and Healthy) that learners explore and generate solutions for. And finally, each TULA session ends with a reflection to absorb lessons from the day. Every session includes up to sixteen learners from a variety of primary school ages and is overseen by a “Learning Coach” who motivates kids to learn, then guides and mentors them as they progress.

TULA opened two after-school learning centers in 2015 in the Philippines, but has ambitions to grow throughout South East Asia wherever children are looking for extra educational support.

Learning through PlayLow-Cost Private SchoolsCurriculum reform/designSecondary Education2015Designing real-world missions that learners explore and complete, whilst practicing and developing essential character traits (e.g., grit, curiosity, courage), attitudes (e.g., drive, optimism, resilience), and 21st century skills (e.g., critical thinking, social skills). Long-term projectFor-profitDeliveryChains or Networks of schools/centersStudent supportExtra-curricular activitiesParental/community engagement in support of studentsComprehensive curriculum21st century skills (soft skills)OtherEthics & Values/ReligionEnglish languageHousehold fundsUrbanPre-primaryPrimaryLower secondaryNoBottom quintile (0-20%)Second quintile (21-40%)Middle quintile (41-60%)Fourth quintile (61-80%)ComputerInternetTablet or e-reader2

Each Learning Coach records learner progress with regards to their English and Math activities by recording scores in a Google Drive excel file which is regularly monitored by the central team. In addition, observations are periodically made on each learners’ character, attitude, and skills, and this is translated into a “Growth Snapshot” each month which is similar to a report card but focuses on development of these soft skills.  All of this is regularly communicated to parents so that they can provide feedback and evaluate how TULA is best serving them.

100% of enrolled parents and children surveyed would recommend TULA to friends and families

Connect with fundersShare good practice resources you have createdConnect with other implementers to explore programmatic collaborationGood practice resources in your focus areaDirectory of others working on your focus topic or in your country/regionDirectory of providers of technical supportTULA Press Release 1 - Where did TULA come from_.pdfTULA Press Release 2 - How is TULA reinventing learning_.pdfTULA Press Release 3 - What is TULA like for a kid_.pdfVisit program websiteAyen Dela Torre

Financial Aid is provided to select students who show a strong desire and drive to learn and grow. Local and foreign sponsors help support these children on financial aid who are carefully picked from nearby public schools. 

Classroom lesson deliveryLearning materials for studentsTeaching materialsTracking student performance600YesInternal assessment performanceUser satisfaction150 000PhilippinesCharacter and Attitudes

Over 90% of families served are from public schools

Membership costs start at $7 per week, covering all subjects

US DollarNational Capital RegionMakati City, Pasig CityThe Ultimate Learning Accelerator (TULA) PhilippinesTechnology is a focus150Students enrolled at a centerStudents enrolled at a centerTULA Education CentersActiveA person's character, attitude, and skills are increasingly what will decide a student's career-success, but parents are still largely influenced by school and therefore subject grades, which are mostly focused on acquisition of knowledge.We have designed engaging real-world missions that learners explore and complete, whilst practicing and developing essential character traits (e.g., grit, curiosity, courage), attitudes (e.g., drive, optimism, resilience), and 21st century skills.MonthlyYesNo