SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday underscored the urgent need for the effective rollout of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program to fast-track learning recovery across the country.

“Sa pagbabalik-eskwela ngayong taon, mahalagang maipatupad natin nang maayos ang ARAL Program dahil ang tutorial session na bahagi nito ay para sa mga mag-aaral nating nangangailangan ng tulong. Kailangang tiyakin nating hindi na sila mapag-iiwanan,” said Gatchalian, emphasizing the need to ensure the availability of tutors.

The Department of Education earlier noted that around three million learners require assistance due to learning gaps.

The ARAL Program was established under Republic Act No. 12028, which Gatchalian authored and sponsored.

It aims to support public school learners from Kindergarten to Grade 10 who have returned or are returning to school after a break, those performing below minimum proficiency levels in reading, mathematics, and science, and students failing their examinations during the school year.

For Grades 1 to 10, the program focuses on reading and mathematics and includes science instruction for Grades 3 to 10.