MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act on Friday, October 18, aiming to address the learning crisis in the Philippines.
The new law provides free learning interventions for public school students from kindergarten to 10th grade who struggle with reading, math, and science proficiency.
“We gather to provide every child in the country with the education that they deserve, and that they have a right to,” Marcos said during the signing ceremony at Malacañan Palace.
The ARAL Program comes in response to a 2018 assessment showing 75% of Filipino learners fell below minimum proficiency levels in core subjects.
Under the law, qualified private schools will receive similar support for struggling students. The program will offer structured tutorial sessions to help students master essential competencies and recover from learning loss.
Marcos emphasized the program’s holistic approach, stating, “Beyond stimulating academic achievement, this also will reignite each student’s passion and enjoyment for learning.”
The law also mandates collaboration with telecommunications entities to provide free access to DepEd-exclusive learning management systems and subsidized data plans for disadvantaged learners.
Broadcasting networks will be required to air supplemental tutorial videos as part of their public service obligation.
To encourage support, donations to the ARAL Program through the Department of Education will be tax-exempt and considered allowable deductions from donors’ gross income.
Marcos called on teachers, parents, local governments, and the private sector to actively participate in the program’s implementation.
“Let us collectively aspire to build a Bagong Pilipinas—one where education serves as the cornerstone of our nation’s progress,” Marcos concluded.
The ARAL Program is set to be implemented nationwide, with the government aiming to improve educational outcomes for millions of Filipino students. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
