The Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program by the Department of Education (DepEd) marks a new chapter in the Philippine education system—one that does not only aim to recover lost learning but to build bridges between students, educators, and communities. While the spotlight often falls on learners, one of the unsung strengths of the ARAL Program is its inclusive and strategic tutor selection and support system.
Let’s explore the ARAL Program through a different lens: not just as a recovery tool, but as a platform for talent development, community empowerment, and education workforce innovation.
🧑🏫✨ Who Can Be a Tutor Under the ARAL Program? Breaking the Traditional Mold
Under Rule V, Section 11 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the ARAL Program boldly redefines who can take on the role of a tutor. It’s no longer just about formal licensure—it’s about competence, character, and community engagement.
The ARAL Program opens its doors to:
-
Teachers and para-teachers, with priority given to those with actual classroom experience and specialization (but not to tutor their own students),
-
Pre-service teachers, as defined by Republic Act No. 11713 or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act,
-
Other trained individuals—college graduates, professionals, and retired educators—who are qualified, competent, and of good moral character.
According to DepEd, this multi-stakeholder approach ensures that tutoring services remain accessible and effective, especially in areas where licensed teachers may be limited. As highlighted by UNESCO, expanding educational roles beyond licensed professionals can strengthen education systems through community involvement and diversity in teaching approaches.
📚🔍 More Than a Degree: Minimum Qualifications and Competency Requirements
To safeguard quality, Section 12 of the IRR outlines minimum qualifications for all ARAL tutors, whether they are licensed teachers or not. These include:
-
Educational Background – Tutors may be:
-
Licensed teachers or para-teachers,
-
Pre-service teachers,
-
Non-licensed education graduates,
-
Retired teachers,
-
Other college graduates or professionals as identified by DepEd.
-
-
Competency in Teaching – Tutors must demonstrate:
-
Subject-matter proficiency,
-
Mastery of diverse teaching methods, and
-
Prior experience in tutoring, remedial instruction, or classroom teaching is an advantage.
-
-
Mandatory Training – As emphasized in Section 13, all tutors must complete specialized DepEd-accredited training. This includes:
-
Learner-centered pedagogy
-
Psychological first aid
-
Handling diverse learners
-
Use of educational technologies
-
-
Good Moral Character – All tutors must have a clean record, free from any criminal charges or behavior that raises concerns about working with children.
These rigorous yet inclusive requirements ensure that tutors are not just placeholders, but qualified and purpose-driven educators ready to help students recover and excel.
💼💸 Remuneration and Recognition: Investing in Human Capital
One of the strongest features of the ARAL Program is its commitment to fairly compensating its tutors. According to Section 14, compensation varies by category:
-
Public school teachers who serve as ARAL tutors are entitled to additional remuneration, in accordance with RA 4670 (Magna Carta for Public School Teachers), provided they’ve completed their required teaching hours. The extra pay is based on DBM’s Prime Hourly Teaching Rate for up to two hours.
-
Para-teachers may be compensated using the DepEd budget or Special Education Fund (SEF) of the local LGU.
-
For pre-service teachers and non-DepEd tutors, DepEd must coordinate with Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) and LGUs to define appropriate incentives and allowances.
According to the World Bank, proper tutor incentives and training are crucial to sustaining long-term learning recovery programs. The ARAL framework aligns with this by institutionalizing both pay and professional growth.
🎓🌱 Teaching Experience That Counts: A Career Boost for Pre-service Tutors
For pre-service teachers, the ARAL Program offers more than a chance to serve—it offers a career head start.
Under Section 15, tutorial service under ARAL is considered relevant teaching experience when applying for a plantilla position in DepEd, provided it complies with the CSC’s Merit Selection Plan and hiring rules. This gives aspiring educators a distinct advantage and builds their competence in real-world educational settings.
The Teacher Education Council (TEC) will monitor this provision, ensuring accountability and consistent documentation of service.
This move is supported by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and aligned with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) efforts to strengthen public teacher pipelines. It’s also a game-changer for many education students who often struggle to gain official experience in highly competitive teaching fields.
🧩💬 ARAL as a System of Shared Responsibility: Collaboration Across Sectors
The ARAL Program isn’t operating in isolation. According to Section 13, the program thrives on inter-agency and community collaboration, particularly in:
-
Tutor training (DepEd, NEAP, BLD, TEC),
-
Parent involvement and support (DepEd + LGUs),
-
DSWD alignment for tutorial services in vulnerable communities.
This makes ARAL not just a school-based project, but a national recovery mission grounded in collective responsibility.
🛤️💖 Conclusion: ARAL as a Pathway, Not Just a Program
The ARAL Program stands as more than an academic intervention. It is a pathway for educational equity, professional development, and community empowerment. By broadening who can serve as tutors, ensuring fair compensation, and emphasizing training and character, DepEd transforms the act of tutoring into a mission of nation-building.
Whether you’re a veteran teacher, a passionate graduate, or a future educator looking for a meaningful start, ARAL opens the door—and all you need is the willingness to serve, learn, and lead.