Manila: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday called for the swift and efficient implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program as schools prepare to reopen, warning that delays could further leave struggling students behind. Gatchalian, principal sponsor and author of the ARAL Act (Republic Act No. 12028), underscored the need for immediate mobilization of tutors and para-teachers to support learners grappling with significant learning gaps, particularly in reading, math, and science.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Education (DepEd) has estimated that around 3 million students require academic support due to the learning disruptions caused by the pandemic. The ARAL Law institutionalizes a free national learning intervention program designed to address these gaps. DepEd will lead the program's implementation, which will focus on foundational skills for Kindergarten and core subject competencies for Grades 1 to 10. Reading and mathematics will be prioritized for early grade levels, with science added for learners in Grades 3 to 10.
Tutorial sessions will be delivered in flexible modes: face-to-face, online, and blended learning, to accommodate varying needs and access conditions across the country. Gatchalian said the program's success will depend not only on policy but on practical execution. 'We cannot afford delays. Every learner left behind is a missed opportunity for the country's future,' he said.
