While Filipino students continue to move up a grade, many are still not able to do basic math operations and reading.
This drives the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program to help kindergarten to grade 10 students catch up from learning gaps.
Under ARAL law or Republic Act No. 1208, the program aims to hire tutors in providing personalized remedial support for students struggling in critical subjects. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized this in an interview on Thursday, February 5.
This leads to classroom teachers to focus on lesson delivery and curriculum coverage, which will help them assess students and grade them accordingly.
DepEd will also gradually cut grade transmutation that helps 'underperforming' students be promoted despite lacking the necessary academic skills.
This highlights the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) that concerns over the 'mass promotion' of students where getting a 60 can have a 75 passing grade.
The findings also concluded that teachers are pressured to pass unqualified students since promotion and dropout rates are linked to the performance of the school and the teachers themselves.
Written by Almira Cereno, Insight PH
Almira Cereno, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
