Bicol: The Department of Education in Bicol (DepEd-5) emphasized the importance of parental support in addressing educational gaps for students enrolled in remedial classes.
According to Philippines News Agency, Grace Rabelas, education supervisor of DepEd-5, highlighted that over 432,000 learners across the region are set to participate in the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program. This initiative is designed to enhance foundational skills for students from Kindergarten to Grade 10.
Rabelas stated that parental support is essential for the program’s success. She explained that consent is necessary for students to attend sessions beyond regular school hours, and active involvement at home plays a crucial role in reinforcing reading habits and motivating student progress.
She also mentioned the significance of parents understanding the impact of remediation on the long-term success of their children. Rabelas stressed that parents must first acknowledge their children’s need for additional educational support to address existing educational gaps.
Students were selected for the program based on assessments conducted by their respective school teachers. Tutorial sessions will be offered through various flexible learning modes, including face-to-face, online, and blended formats, to accommodate different learner needs and access conditions.
Rabelas noted that the program beneficiaries include 60,202 learners with special education needs, 10,517 students returning from furlough, and 286,239 children from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. A total of 3,952 schools will participate in the program.
The focus for the 2025-2026 school year will be on reading, with subsequent years concentrating on mathematics and science.