The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the signing of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) law on October 18, 2024, by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Republic Act No. 12028, also known as the “ARAL Program Act,” aims to address the crisis currently facing the Philippine education system, which was impaired by the COVID-19 pandemic. This law aims to close the gaps that have emerged during the pandemic and help our students get back on track.

“We fully support this resolution from the government as a timely step towards tackling the education crisis our country is experiencing. We also appreciate that the government is genuinely considering the challenges our students faced during the pandemic and has laid out programs to address these issues,” said CHR Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-latoc.

The ARAL law will provide learning interventions for students from Kindergarten to Grade 10 within the public educational system. Under this law, the government will offer support through well-structured tutorial sessions, learner-centered resources and interventions, and the provision of nutritional, social, emotional, and mental health programs to ensure the holistic well-being of learners, among others. These initiatives aim to assist struggling students in meeting the competencies set by the Department of Education, particularly in Mathematics, Science, and reading.

Section 4 of the statute states that the program is intended for: 1) those who have returned or are returning to school after taking a leave of absence; 2) those who have below-minimum proficiency levels in reading, Mathematics, and Science; and 3) those who have failed examinations and tests as assessed by teachers during the school year.

“We applaud this initiative, especially since it will boost the morale of our students who have been struggling to pass their classes. This will encourage them to persevere in their studies, which will eventually help them grow personally and build their self-esteem,” added Commissioner Beda A. Epres, CHR Focal for Children and the Youth.

The CHR is hopeful that this law will improve the Philippines’ standing on the global stage, particularly following a dispiriting report from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which ranked the country at the bottom in terms of Math, Science, and reading.

The Commission looks forward to the positive outcomes of the ARAL law and remains hopeful that it will further promote children’s right to a quality education, thereby contributing to their personal growth and dignity.###