ARAL Program: Marcos Administration Boosts Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning for Filipino Students
As part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s continuing commitment to education, the Department of Education (DepEd) officially launched the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program on Saturday. The initiative aims to address the country’s learning crisis and strengthen the foundational skills of students across all grade levels.
A Nationwide Launch for Quality Education
The ARAL Program was launched simultaneously nationwide, led by members of DepEd’s Executive Committee (ExeCom). The event coincided with President Marcos Jr.’s birthday and International Literacy Day on September 8, underscoring the Philippines’ dedication to promoting quality education as a proud UNESCO Member State.
Grounded in Law and Action
The ARAL Program was established under Republic Act No. 12028, signed into law by President Marcos last year. It will provide tutorial support in Reading, Mathematics, and Science for Kindergarten to Grade 10 students to help them meet the expected learning competencies of their grade levels.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the importance of early interventions:
“Through ARAL, we ensure that learners who are falling behind can catch up. But more importantly, we are committed to building stronger foundational skills—especially in Key Stage 1, the most critical phase of a child’s development. We are grateful to our President for making this program a reality.”
Focus on ARAL-Reading for SY 2025–2026
For the upcoming school year, the program will prioritize ARAL-Reading, providing immediate support to struggling learners, particularly low, high emerging, and frustrated readers. Currently, 6,713,352 students have been identified as beneficiaries, to be assisted by 447,537 tutors and 45,084 school heads.
The program will begin in the second quarter of SY 2025–2026, with future expansions to include:
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ARAL-Mathematics (Grades 1–10)
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ARAL-Science (Grades 3–10)
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ARAL-Summer Programs
Training, Tutors, and Parental Support
To ensure readiness, DepEd has rolled out training for tutors, distributed learning resources, and introduced the ARAL School Readiness and Responsiveness Audit (ASRRA). Tutors will include teachers, para-teachers, pre-service teachers, and trained individuals—equipped with both proper training and compensation.
Parents and guardians will also play a critical role, with orientations designed to help them support and reinforce their children’s learning at home.
EduKahon: Standardized School Recovery Kit
During the launch, Secretary Angara and ExeCom members also distributed EduKahon, DepEd’s standardized school recovery kit. This move highlights the department’s commitment to ensuring continuity of learning even during disruptions.
Building on Past Literacy Programs
The ARAL Program builds upon the success of previous DepEd initiatives like the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP) and the Nationwide Learning Recovery Program (NLRP), which both led to significant improvements in literacy and learning outcomes nationwide.
Looking Ahead
With ARAL, the Marcos administration and DepEd reaffirm their mission to bridge learning gaps, strengthen foundational skills, and uplift the quality of Philippine education—preparing learners for a brighter future.