The Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program is being closely assessed in classrooms as education officials seek stronger interventions for students struggling in reading, mathematics, and science.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda joined a site visit to Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Elementary School and President Corazon C. Aquino High School in Baseco, Manila on May 26 to observe the implementation of the ARAL Program.
The program, created under Republic Act No. 12028, provides targeted academic support for learners who need help catching up in key subjects. It includes tutorial sessions, learner-centered intervention plans, accessible learning modes, trained tutors, and broader support mechanisms for students.
“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, I want to see firsthand how our policies are being felt by learners inside the classroom,” she said.
She said ARAL gives struggling learners a fair chance to recover, especially those facing difficulties in reading, math, and science.
“Every hour of teaching can change the course of their future,” she said.
The law, which was signed on October 16, 2024, is being implemented through DepEd Order No. 010, series of 2026. The order covers ARAL Summer Reading, ARAL Summer Mathematics, and Senior High School Remediation Programs.
During the visit, the long-time solon observed elementary and secondary classes under the ARAL Summer Reading and Remediation Programs. The classroom observations focused on teaching strategies, learning materials, and the overall learning environment.
She said feedback from those directly affected by the program would be critical in improving its implementation.
“The most important guidance for us comes from the voices of parents, teachers, and the learners themselves. Their experiences with ARAL will help us refine the program and make it more effective,” she said.
Citing data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), she raised concern over the country’s literacy gaps. She said many learners still cannot read by Grade 3, while one in four students across grade levels struggles with reading.
The problem is more severe in Key Stage 3, covering Grades 7 to 10, where more than 80 percent of learners are falling behind. Among Grade 11 students, 87 percent were found to be not independent readers.
She said the figures point to an education crisis that demands urgent and sustained intervention.
Aside from observing the ARAL classes, she also gave a lecture on Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which she authored and principally sponsored.
She discussed proper waste segregation and responsible garbage disposal, emphasizing the role of schools in building both academic competence and environmental responsibility among learners.
The site visit ended with a plenary discussion facilitated by EDCOM II, which continues to review and recommend reforms aimed at strengthening Philippine education and improving the country’s global competitiveness.