Senators on Friday, Oct. 18, hailed the signing into law of Republic Act (RA) 12028 or the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Act which seeks to accelerate learning recovery and address the education gaps worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his speech during the ceremonial signing in Malacañang on Friday morning, Oct. 18, President Marcos said the new law was an important step in embracing and addressing what he described as a "pressing" and "profound" challenge that the education sector faces.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero called it a timely and essential intervention toward addressing the learning crisis in the country.

A priority measure of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, the ARAL Act will help learners who are found to be below the minimum proficiency levels in language, mathematics and science catch up so that they can continue with their educational journey.

“Malaki ang magiging tulong nitong ARAL Program para matugunan ang matagal na nating problema tungkol sa mga mag-aaral na hindi makapagbasa nang maayos at hirap sa matematika at agham. Ang layunin nitong batas ay mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang ating mga mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng magandang edukasyon (The ARAL Program will be a significant help in addressing our long-standing problem of students who struggle with reading and have difficulties in mathematics and science. The purpose of this bill is to provide a better future for our students through quality education),” Escudero said.

Under the law, teachers, para-teachers, and pre-service teachers will be tasked to tutor the targeted learners from kindergarten to Grade 10.

ARAL will cover the most essential learning competencies under the K-to-12 basic education curriculum covering the subjects of mathematics and science for Grades 1 to 10, and science for Grades 3 to 10.

“Proficiency in these essential learning competencies will serve as the foundation for individuals to become productive members of society. The completion of basic education is the key to open opportunities for our learners, whether they opt to pursue higher education or to join the workforce using the skills they have learned along the way,” Escudero said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is tasked to coordinate with the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other stakeholders in the implementation of the law.

Senate Committee on Basic Education Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian sponsored Senate Bill (SB) No.1604, which he and then-senator and now DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara authored

Gatchalian lauded its signing into law, and said that it would tboost efforts to address learning loss and the education crisis hounding the country.

Gatchalian says the new law establishes the ARAL Program, which provides national learning interventions grounded on the following premises: well-systematized tutorial sessions; well-designed intervention plans and learning resources developed in consultation with curriculum experts and reading specialists, following a learner-centered approach; and effective and accessible delivery modes for tutors and learners; among others.

The law applies to learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 from public schools who have returned or are returning to school after a furlough; those who are below the minimum proficiency levels required in reading, mathematics, and science; and those who are failing in examinations and tests during the course of the school year.

The ARAL Program shall cover the essential learning competencies under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum and focus on reading and mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and science for Grades 3 to 10. The prioritization of reading and mathematics shall seek to develop learners’ critical and analytical thinking skills.

The ARAL program shall also focus on building Kindergarten learners’ foundational skills to strengthen their literacy and numeracy competencies.

Teachers, para-teachers, and pre-service teachers may serve as tutors under the ARAL Program. Teachers who serve as tutors shall be compensated subject to the pertinent provisions of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers and the existing rules and regulations of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Consistent with DBM guidelines, said compensation for teachers shall be granted provided that they have already rendered the prescribed six hours of actual classroom teaching, and the amount paid for the purpose shall not exceed the compensation for two hours based on the Prime Hourly Teaching Rate.

Para-teachers who serve as tutors shall be compensated from the budget of the DepEd or the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the local school board. The law also provides that services rendered by pre-service teachers who serve as tutors shall be considered relevant teaching experience when applying for plantilla positions in the DepEd.