MANILA: In a significant move to improve the quality of education in the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) law, a national program designed to assist students struggling in key academic areas. Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed gratitude for the enactment of the law, which aims to help learners regain educational momentum and achieve essential learning milestones.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ARAL program is a free, national intervention initiative focused on enhancing student competencies in reading, mathematics, and science. It targets learners who are experiencing difficulties in these subjects, providing them with necessary support to meet the standards set by the Department of Education (DepEd). Secretary Angara highlighted the need for a nationwide pool of educators to effectively implement the program and support learners.
The law outlines that teachers, para-teachers, and pre-service teachers can be eng
aged as tutors within the ARAL program, with the stipulation that they cannot tutor their own students. Angara mentioned the potential recruitment of former teachers, individuals awaiting licensure exam results, and those who currently tutor for a living to serve as resources for the program.
Specifically, the ARAL program aims to help kindergarten learners develop foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. For students in Grades 1 to 10, the focus is on reading and mathematics, while science is emphasized for Grades 3 to 10. Public school students will have access to the program through various flexible methods, including in-person tutorials, online sessions, or a blended learning approach.