The Department of Education has urged Congress to approve a dedicated compensation mechanism for teachers who serve as tutors under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara emphasized the department’s commitment to both learners in need of extra support and the teachers who provide it, calling for sound policies, clear guidelines, and sufficient funding.
The ARAL program targets learning gaps by offering tutorials in reading, mathematics, and other foundational skills.
Recent regional assessments revealed that only 13 percent of Filipino grade‑5 students meet minimum reading proficiency, while just 14 percent achieve the same level in mathematics.
Under the current law, teachers receive compensation for tutoring only through overload pay or vacation service credits after completing their regular six‑hour classroom schedule; external tutors are paid according to approved program guidelines and available budget.
The fiscal year 2026 budget allocates funds for overload pay and the hiring of external tutors but does not provide a separate appropriation for teachers working double‑time as ARAL tutors.
DepEd stresses the need to recognize teachers’ additional work while remaining compliant with legal and budgetary constraints.
The proposed amendment would modify the existing law to align with the 2027‑2028 school‑year appropriations and enable compensation for teachers regardless of their regular teaching load.
Estimated costs for the new compensation scheme range from roughly P4.307 billion for a uniform‑rate model to at least P7.266 billion under a prime hourly teaching rate approach.
The secretary reiterated that compensation will be provided once a clear legal basis and adequate funding are secured.
Education sector stakeholders have voiced support, noting that reliance on volunteerism is insufficient and that fair remuneration is essential for high‑quality learning interventions.
DepEd has earmarked P8.94 billion for the ARAL program within its P1.015 trillion 2026 budget, anticipating participation from more than 440,000 tutors, including both department staff and external volunteers, this academic year.
