THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on second reading a measure establishing an Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning or ARAL Program.

The lawmakers have approved House Bill 8201 which is a substitute bill for consolidated House Bills 3721, 3847, and 4240.

The ARAL Program aims to resolve the gap between the current and the expected learning competencies in basic education through the national academic intervention program.

The measure would also help ensure that learners attain the most essential learning competencies covering the subjects of reading, mathematics, and sciences through the tutors tasked to conduct the needed remedial lessons.

The Program would serve as the national academic intervention program to address the issues of learning loss and academic struggles of basic education learners.

It would cover learners who are failing in the examinations and tests as assessed and evaluated by the teachers; those whose grades are at and marginally above the minimum level of mastery required in the attainment of the Most Essential Learning Competencies; and those who have returned or are returning to school after a furlough.

The program would hire tutors from the students of teacher education institutions; government internship program of the DOLE; students in higher and technical-vocational educational institutions taking up the National Training Services under the National Service Training Program; volunteers from NGOs or civil society organizations; and individual volunteers.