President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act (RA) 12028, also known as the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Law, on Friday, October 18, 2024. The new law aims to address learning gaps and enhance education quality across the country. During the signing at Malacañang Palace, Marcos emphasized the urgency of the issue, citing the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment, which revealed that 75% of Filipino students performed below minimum proficiency levels in reading, mathematics, and science.

Marcos called the ARAL Law a vital step toward solving the nation’s education crisis. He noted that it would provide structured tutorial sessions to help students improve in critical subjects like reading, math, and science. The law focuses on assisting struggling learners and aims to boost their mastery of key competencies.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will oversee the ARAL Program, a free nationwide learning initiative. The program will involve teachers, para-teachers, and education students to support learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10. It will offer tutorial sessions in reading and math for Grades 1 to 10, and in science for Grades 3 to 10. Additionally, the program will help Kindergarten students build strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy.

The ARAL Program will be delivered through face-to-face, online, or blended learning formats, ensuring flexibility to meet students’ needs. An annual evaluation will monitor the program’s effectiveness, with reports submitted to Congress for review.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Senators Francis Escudero and Sherwin Gatchalian expressed their support for the law, calling it a timely intervention. Escudero highlighted the importance of improving basic skills, while Gatchalian emphasized the law’s role in addressing the learning crisis caused by the pandemic.

Key Highlights of the ARAL Law

What is ARAL Law

• Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Law is aimed at addressing learning losses and promoting accessible education in the Philippines.

ARAL Law Objectives

• Aims to provide quality education and support learners who experienced learning loss, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptions.

Coverage

• Applies to learners in public basic education institutions who:
  • (a) those who did not enroll starting School Year (SY) 2020 to 2021; or
  • (b) those who are below the minimum proficiency levels required in Language, Mathematics, and Science.
• Similarly situated learners who are enrolled in private basic education institutions shall be provided the same interventions under this Act upon request.

Establishment of the ARAL Program

• The program includes:
  • Systematized tutorial sessions.
    • Face-to-face
    • Online
    • Blended learning
      • This flexibility allows students to choose the best learning method for their needs.
  • Learner-centered intervention plans.
  • Accessible delivery methods for tutors and learners.
  • Comprehensive assessment of learners.
  • Involvement of curriculum and reading specialists.
  • Trained tutors and learning facilitators.
  • Support for learners’ holistic well-being, including nutritional and mental health programs.

Essential Learning Competencies

• Focuses on essential competencies in Language and Mathematics for Grades 1-10 and Science for Grades 3-10.
• Prioritizes reading and numeracy, with foundational skills for Kindergarten learners.

Determination and Assessment of Learners

• Utilizes the Learner Information System (LIS) for identification and regular assessments to track progress.

Tutors Under the ARAL Program

• Teachers, para-teachers, and qualified senior high school or college students can serve as tutors.
• Pre-service teachers automatically qualify.

Capacity Building of Tutors

• Tutors will receive training on effective pedagogies, social-emotional learning, and cultural competency.

Campaigns for Learners to Return to School

• Awareness campaigns will be conducted to encourage re-enrollment.

Free Access and Subsidized Internet Data Plans

• The government will work with public telecom providers to offer free access to the Department of Education (DepEd) online platforms, including educational apps, digital libraries and web-based learning systems.
• To help disadvantaged students, the law includes provisions for subsidized data plans, making online education more accessible.

Supplemental Tutorial Video Materials

• Broadcasting networks will dedicate airtime for educational videos that cover essential competencies, supplementing the program’s goals.

Compensation and Incentives in ARAL Program

• Compensation for tutors (teachers and para-teachers) will adhere to existing guidelines.
• Credits for tertiary and senior high school students who serve as tutors will be provided.
• Pre-service teachers’ tutoring experience will count as relevant experience for future employment.

Local Government Support and Parental Involvement

• Local governments will support safe tutorial environments and promote the program.
• Schools must maintain communication with parents to enhance learning.

Implementing Agencies

• DepEd will coordinate with relevant agencies for effective program implementation.

Tax Incentives

• Donations to the ARAL Program will be exempt from donor’s tax and eligible for gross income deductions.

Mandatory Review and Oversight

• An annual evaluation of the program’s impact will be conducted.
• A Joint Congressional Oversight Committee will monitor the program’s implementation.

Appropriations and Effectivity

• Funding will be allocated from the current appropriations of DepEd.
• The law takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette.