DepEd expands summer programs to help struggling learners catch up

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MAKATI CITY, 21 April 2026—From May 6 to June 3, 2026, learners at risk of falling behind will be given a critical chance to succeed, as the Department of Education (DepEd) rolls out its expanded summer remediation programs to help learners recover foundational skills and put every learner back on the path to grade-level readiness.



Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the urgency and purpose of this initiative: no learner should be left behind.



“Tungkulin nating siguruhin na ang bawat mag-aaral ay may sapat na suporta. Narito ang DepEd para alalayan ang ating mga mag-aaral na mapaghusay ang kanilang kaalaman,” Angara said.

“Sa suporta ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, tinitiyak natin na ang ating mga programa ay may sapat na kalinga at direksyon para sa ikagaganda ng kinabukasan ng ating kabataan,” he added.



At the heart of this effort is the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, a flagship intervention that aims to sharpen the Reading and Mathematics skills of about 3.7 million incoming Grade 2 to 11 learners.



For those nearing graduation, the Senior High School Remediation program delivers support to around 2.1 million incoming Grade 12 learners, ensuring mastery of essential competencies in English, Filipino and Mathematics.



Meanwhile, the Summer Academic Remedial Program provides targeted assistance to around 141,000 learners across all grade levels who did not meet the required grade level requirements in one or two learning areas, giving them the support they need to move forward with confidence.

The results of these targeted interventions are already clear and compelling. Comparisons between the Beginning-of-School-Year (BOSY) and End-of-School-Year (EOSY) assessments reveal significant gain: literacy gaps have narrowed by an average 33 percentage points in Grades 1 to 3; 16 percentage points in Grades 4 to 6; and 28 percentage points in Grades 7 to 10.

These gains affirm a powerful truth when given the right support, struggling learners can recover, progress and thrive.

To support this massive undertaking, Angara said DepEd is mobilizing around 607,000 DepEd teachers and volunteer tutors nationwide, ensuring learners receive the personalized attention, guidance and encouragement necessary for effective learning recovery.



Beyond academics, the summer programs adopt a holistic approach which includes providing teaching and learning resources, incentives for educators, and critical health support like vision and ear care screenings along with free meals, to remove physical barriers that hinder learning.



Angara emphasized that the success of the undertaking relies on a unified front between the school and the home.



“Nananawagan tayo sa ating mga magulang at guro na magkaisa sa mahalagang adhikaing ito. Ang ating pagtutulungan ang magsisilbing matibay na pundasyon upang maging matagumpay ang balik-eskwela ng ating mga kabataan,” said Angara.

A long-time champion of education reform, Angara brings this initiative full circle. As a key proponent and co-author of Republic Act No. 12028 or the ARAL Program Act during his Senate tenure, he signed its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) in December 2024 in his capacity as DepEd Secretary, transforming policy into real and tangible support for learners.

Under his leadership, DepEd is not only expanding intervention programs; it is institutionalizing a system that ensures every struggling learner is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to succeed.

Under RA No. 12028 (Section 7), tutors under the ARAL Program may be: teachers teaching at the elementary and secondary levels, provided they shall not be tutors of their own learners; para-teachers or those who have taken the licensure examination for teachers but were unable to quality and have been issued a special permit by the Board for Professional Teachers; and pre-service teachers who are students enrolled in a teacher education degree program.



Under the law, DepEd may also hire as tutor other individuals deemed qualified, competent and of good character.



Meanwhile under the IRR (Section 12), tutorsa hired for the ARAL Program must meet minimum qualifications in professional or educational background for teachers, para-teachers, pre-service teachers and non-licensed education graduates; retired professional teachers; other licensed professionals; college graduates; and others as may be identified by DepEd.



Tutors must also demonstrate competency in the subject areas they will handle, as well as proficiency in the use of various teaching methods.

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