DepEd vows speedy release of ARAL funds

MANILA, Philippines — Measures are being undertaken to ensure that funds for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning program will go directly to teachers and educators serving as ARAL tutors nationwide, according to the Department of Education.

DepEd gave the assurance yesterday following complaints from teachers’ group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), which cited survey results showing that 74 percent of ARAL tutors have not received overtime pay or transportation allowance.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said that DepEd is committed to addressing learning gaps in Reading, Science and Mathematics as well as protecting the welfare of frontline educators.  

Angara gave assurance that the expansion of the ARAL program would not  overburden teachers and they would be paid correctly for their extra services.

ACT said that teachers continue to shoulder school expenses and perform unpaid additional work despite assurances from the government that the workload will be reduced.

DepEd said that ARAL tutorial sessions conducted by public school teachers are considered remedial classes, and the time rendered for these sessions are counted as part of their teaching load.  

The agency said that safeguards have been put in place to ensure that teachers do not exceed the allowable two-hour daily teaching overload limit.

Teachers serving as tutors during weekdays are entitled to additional pay, provided they exceed the prescribed six-hour actual classroom teaching load, DepEd said.

During weekends, holidays and vacation periods, teachers may earn vacation service credits, with one hour of service equivalent to 1.5 hours of VSC.  

The agency said that at least P2 billion was allotted to expand tutor support, a major improvement from the P150 million previously sourced through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers or TUPAD program of the Department of Labor and Employment and the government’s internship program.

Schools have access to P1.09 billion in existing ARAL funds, while an additional P1.77 billion is scheduled for release to cover teaching and learning resources, session support materials such as flashcards and visual aids, and essential monitoring activities, DepEd said.

Meanwhile, Angara gave assurance that public school teachers will not lose their jobs with the rollout of the Strenghtened Senior High School curriculum for school year 2026-2027.

The strengthened curriculum is designed to give learners a clearer sense of direction after completing basic education, Angara said.

Under the transition plan, current senior high school teachers previously teaching core subjects may be assigned to handle relevant electives, work immersion support or remedial programs.                –