By: Atty. Gregorio B. Austral, CPA
The ARAL Program under RA No. 12028
The Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program under Republic Act No. 12028 may be considered one of the government’s strategies to address its dismal bottom ranking in the Program International Student Assessment (PISA), which is considered an indicator of the country’s state of basic education.
The Philippines has historically ranked low in the PISA, and the 2022 results show that the country’s students continue to lag in creative thinking where Filipino students ranked second to last with average score of 14 points as against the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 33 points. The country also did not fare well in other subjects.
The ARAL Program aims to support learners by establishing a free and effective national learning intervention program to ensure that all learners who are struggling in their lessons, especially in reading, mathematics, and science, will be able to attain the competencies set by the Department of Education (DepEd) in their respective levels.
The Program targets the following learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 under the public basic education institutions of the DepEd: (a) Those who have returned or are returning to school after a furlough; (b) Those who are below the minimum proficiency levels required in reading, mathematics, and science; or (c) Those who are failing in examinations and tests as assessed and evaluated by the teachers during the course of the school year.
Similarly situated learners who are enrolled in qualified private basic education institutions shall be provided the same interventions under this Act upon request: Provided, That in case of limited slots for enrollment, preference shall be given to beneficiaries of the Educational Service Contracting Scheme. The DepEd shall determine which private basic education institutions qualify for these interventions, taking into account factors such as size, type of incorporation, and other relevant criteria.
The ARAL Program is established to provide a national learning intervention program which shall be grounded on the following premises:
(a) Well-systematized tutorial sessions which demonstrate higher achievement gains;
(b) Well-designed intervention plans and learning resources developed in consultation with curriculum and reading specialists, following a learner-centered approach that is supportive and empathetic of the learner’s needs, motivation and behavior, including but not limited to one-on-one or group tutorials;
(c) Effective and accessible delivery modes for tutors and learners;
(d) Careful determination and assessment of learners;
(e) Well-chosen and trained tutors and learning facilitators; and
(f) Alignment with existing DepEd policies for the development and provision of nutritional, social and emotional, and mental health programs to support and ensure the holistic well-being of learners, and for them to prosper academically, build resilience against adversity, and be equipped with skills and confidence to seek help for early intervention during their educational journey.
The ARAL Program shall further ensure mastery of essential competencies and make up for learning loss of learners. (Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act, Republic Act No. 12028, [October 16, 2024])