With classes set to open on June 8, Senator Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that there will be enough tutors for the rollout of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.
The 2026 national budget has allotted P8.9 billion for the implementation of the ARAL Program this year, which is expected to support 6.7 million learners in Reading and 8.08 million learners in Mathematics.
The allocation also seeks to engage 440,000 tutors.
The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), however, recently flagged delays in the hiring of ARAL Program tutors.
Among the challenges raised are delays in the release of guidelines and funds for the hiring of external tutors, which led to reliance on volunteer tutors.
“Kailangang tiyakin din natin na may sapat at handang mga tutor, lalo na’t ang papel nila ang isa sa pinakamahalaga para sa tagumpay ng programa.”
The EDCOM II also flagged the non-implementation of the ARAL Summer Program for grade levels without volunteers.
“Hindi sapat na maglaan lang tayo ng pondo para sa ARAL Program. Kailangang tiyakin din natin na may sapat at handang mga tutor, lalo na’t ang papel nila ang isa sa pinakamahalaga para sa tagumpay ng programa,” Gatchalian concluded.
