Senator Win Gatchalian again cited the need to implement a learning recovery program to address the impact of prolonged school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the country gradually resumes in-person learning.
In a press briefing held on March 11, the Department of Education (DepEd) bared its proposed strategies and timeline for implementing learning recovery. The DepEd’s plan is anchored on learning remediation and intervention; health, safety, and wellness; and professional development.
Under Gatchalian’s Senate Bill No. 2355 filed in 2021, the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program is established to become the national learning intervention program, which will include well-systematized tutorial sessions.
According to Gatchalian, a law institutionalizing a learning recovery program would ensure that enough resources are allocated for its implementation.
Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said the proposed program will cover the most essential learning competencies under Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and Science for Grades 3 to 10.
For Kindergarten learners, literacy and numeracy competencies will be given focus to build on their foundational competencies, he said.
The tutorial sessions may be held on weekends during the school year or semestral breaks. Learners may also be grouped according to their assessed learning needs. For learners with particular learning needs, one-on-one tutorial sessions may also be provided.
Aside from tapping teachers and para-teachers to serve as tutors, the ARAL Program also allows tertiary-level students to volunteer as tutors. Tertiary level students who volunteer as tutors for two semesters shall be deemed to have completed the Literacy Training Service under the National Service Training Program.
Tutors will also receive adequate training, which will focus on innovative instructional techniques, interpersonal skills, socio-emotional learning, and cultural competency among others.
