New law to help improve assessment scores - DepEd chief

Metro Manila, Philippines - A new law on academic recovery and accessible learning (ARAL) will help students improve their scores in international assessments, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

On Monday, Dec. 16, the Department of Education (DepEd) released the implementing rules and regulations for Republic Act 12028 or the ARAL law enacted in October.

In a chance interview, Angara said while the impact of the law may not yet reflect in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in March 2025, it will help students in the long run.

“Gaganda iyong abilidad ng ating mga estudyante especially iyong critical thinking, malalim mag-isip at iniisip ang kabuuan hindi lang kung ang problema ay math, parang isang problema nakikita lahat ng aspekto ng problema,” he said.

[Translation: The ability of our students will improve, especially their critical thinking — thinking deeply and considering the whole picture, not just whether the problem is math. It's like seeing all aspects of a problem]

In 2022, the country ranked poorly on mathematics, science, reading comprehension, and creative thinking on the global exam.

Under the ARAL law, the DepEd will provide a free national learning intervention program for specific learning areas.

The program covers reading and mathematics for Grades 1 to 10 and science for Grades 3 to 10. It will focus on building foundational skills for kindergarten learners.

The law requires the conduct of tutorial sessions with teachers, para-teachers, and qualified pre-service teachers through onsite or online modes.