ARAL PROGRAM SIGNS INTO LAW TO ADDRESS LEARNING GAPS

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law the bill which seeks to address learning gaps brought by the pandemic that is one of the administration's 20 priority measures targeted for passage this year.

The Republic Act 12028 or the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Law (ARAL) Program Act, aims to create a national learning intervention program to help students meet grade-level standards and fast-track the recovery of pandemic-induced learning losses.

A bill that aimed to address learning gaps and improve the quality in the country’s education system has been signed into law (Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News)

Citing the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment which showed that the staggering 75 percent of Filipino learners “fell below the minimum proficiency levels in reading, mathematics and science” RA 12028 is important in addressing the learning gaps.

It targets students who are below the minimum proficiency levels required in language, mathematics and science - by hiring teachers and para-teachers to provide structured tutorial sessions and intervention plans for struggling students.

“This disheartening trend remained alarmingly the same, highlighting the urgency of the learning crisis that we confront today. It is imperative therefore that we acknowledge this massive challenge, determine the necessary steps, and prioritize the implementation of learning interventions,” Marcos said.

Under the ARAL Program, the following K to 10 learners will be allowed: Those who have returned or are returning to school after a furlough; Those who are below the minimum proficiency levels in reading, mathematics, and science: and Those who are failing in exams and tests based on teacher evaluations during the school year.

This mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the ARAL Program, a free national learning intervention program that will tap teachers and para-teachers, and pre-service teachers or those students enrolled in a teacher degree program offered by Teacher Education Institutions to help struggling learners attain the competencies set by the agency.

The program will focus on improving students' competencies in essential learning areas, including reading and mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and science for Grades 3 to 10. When it comes to kindergarten learners, it will focus on building foundational skills to strengthen their literacy and numeracy competencies.

“With the signing of the ARAL Law, we embark on a definite journey to champion the right of every Filipino child to quality education, ensuring as well that it is accessible to all,” Marcos added.

Source: Philippine News Agency

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