SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian hailed the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning or ARAL Program Act, a step closer to rolling out an effective nationwide learning recovery program and addressing learning loss.

The proposed measure seeks to establish the ARAL Program for learning intervention, whose premises shall include well-systematized tutorial sessions and well-designed intervention plans and learning resources, among others.

The bill provides that these intervention plans and learning resources shall be developed in consultation with curriculum and reading specialists.

They shall also follow a learner-centered approach that is supportive and empathetic of learners’ needs, motivations, and behavior.

The lawmaker added that the bill will help address the education crisis in the country, which is reflected in the Philippines’ dismal performance in international large-scale assessments such as the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment.

The triennial assessment showed that the Philippines is still in the bottom 10 out of 81 countries in reading, mathematics, and science.

“Isinulong natin ang pagkakaroon ng ARAL Program upang matulungan ang ating mga mag-aaral na nangangailangan ng dagdag na suporta. Kung tuluyang maisabatas ang ating panukala, mapipigilan natin ang pag-urong ng kaalaman at matitiyak nating walang batang maiiwan sa kanyang pag-aaral,” said Gatchalian, principal author and sponsor of the proposed measure.

The ARAL Program shall cover essential learning competencies under reading and mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and science for Grades 3 to 10.

The ARAL program shall also prioritize reading and mathematics to develop learners’ critical and analytical thinking skills.

For Kindergarten, the ARAL Program shall focus on strengthening their literacy and numeracy competencies.

The bill seeks to cover public school learners in the following situations — those 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 the examinations and tests as assessed and evaluated by teachers during the course of the school year.

Gatchalian thanked the measure’s co-authors: Senators Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Risa Hontiveros, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, and former Senator and now Secretary of Education Juan Edgardo Angara.