The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said the current funding for its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program falls short, amid concerns over the lack of designated tutors for the initiative. In a news release reported by BusinessWorld, the agency acknowledged that the budget remains insufficient to cover all requirements.
The ARAL program, launched to help students recover learning loss exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, relies on tutors to provide targeted instruction. However, stakeholders have flagged the shortage of tutors as a critical barrier to the program's effectiveness. DepEd stated it is exploring ways to maximize existing resources while seeking additional funding from the national government and other partners.
Education advocates have urged Congress to increase the program's budget in the upcoming national expenditure program to ensure its full implementation. Without adequate funding, the DepEd warned that the ARAL program may not reach all students in need, potentially widening the achievement gap in basic education.