The Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated P9 billion for the implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program in all public basic education schools this year. According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the funds aim to strengthen interventions to address the learning gaps of students nationwide.
Launched in September, the ARAL Program provides free tutoring in reading, math, and science for students from Kindergarten through Grade 10. It is designed to help children reach grade-level proficiency, especially in subjects critical to academic development.
The DepEd emphasized that for the first time, there are sufficient funds to have tutors in all schools under the program. According to the secretary, this step is important to help students catch up, especially since data is clear that many children are falling behind in reading and math.
For 2026, DepEd received a P1.015 trillion budget from the national fund—about 30 percent higher than last year. The country also achieved the global benchmark in education spending, which is considered an important criterion for the long-term quality of learning.
The PISA 2022 results show that intensive academic recovery is needed, after the Philippines was ranked among the countries with low rankings in reading comprehension, mathematics, and science. Through the ARAL Program, it is expected to strengthen the foundation of basic education and ensure a better future for students.
