According to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), the Department of Education’s Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program has been shown to significantly improve the reading proficiency and grade-level readiness of grade school students, underscoring the importance of targeted intervention for learners.
Citing data comparing student performance at the start of the school year in 2025 to mid-school year, EDCOM 2 noted that students from several schools across the country were able to successfully transition from “emerging or lower-level proficiency” in reading, to “grade-ready status,” courtesy of the ARAL program.
Launched in September 2025, the program aims to help struggling kindergarten to Grade 10 students attain competencies set by DepEd in their respective levels, particularly in reading, math, and science.
This is done by providing free, targeted interventions, tutorials, and resources designed in consultation with learning experts.
Based on assessments, a student’s proficiency in a particular subject area is classified as either emerging, developing, transition, or grade-level status.
In reading, for example, a learner with an emerging proficiency has limited phonological awareness and needs targeted instruction to build foundational skills. On the other hand, those with grade-level proficiency demonstrate strong letter knowledge and decoding skills.
According to EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, the improvement in the students’ performance “proves that with the right interventions, we can successfully bridge the gap from ‘emerging’ to ‘grade-ready’.”
“This demonstrates clearly that we have the capacity to put an end to this learning crisis – if we act urgently, learn how to prioritize, and invest properly,” he added.
For the next school year, DepEd aims to reach 6.7 million students through the ARAL program, deploying 440,000 tutors, including external volunteers, to reduce the workload of regular teachers.
The success of the ARAL program so far is great news for the currently dismal state of the country’s educational system. If the DepEd can build on such wins, implement more impactful programs, and solve the classroom and teacher shortage, the next generation of Filipinos may still have a chance to be as proficient as their peers, giving them a chance to be competitive in a world that doesn’t accept excuses or wait for anyone.*
