P16.03 billion for ARAL sought to sustain PISA gains
MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday urged Congress to approve a P16.03-billion supplemental budget for 2027 to sustain the gains made by Filipino students in the 2025 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) through the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.
Angara said Filipino students’ scores in reading, mathematics and science improved significantly in PISA 2025 amid the implementation of ARAL.
“These latest PISA gains are an encouraging checkpoint, not the finish line. They prove that system-wide progress is possible, but they also highlight why sustained funding and structured interventions like ARAL remain non-negotiable,” Angara said.
The proposed additional P16.03 billion for next year would cover remediation consultations, learning resources, training of DepEd tutors, the ARAL Summer Program, compensation for external tutors and teaching overload honoraria.
“To sustain this momentum, the Department of Education (DepEd) is appealing to lawmakers to restore funding for the ARAL Program under its Fiscal Year 2027 budget after the initiative received zero allocation in the National Expenditure Program,” DepEd said.
During school year 2025-2026, ARAL formed part of DepEd’s intensified learning recovery efforts by providing targeted support to struggling learners.
The program helped reduce the number of struggling readers nationwide from 6.7 million to 2.2 million while increasing grade-level reading readiness from 3.3 million to 5.8 million learners.
The Philippines recorded a mean score of 373 in science, 371 in mathematics and 367 in reading in PISA 2025, up by 17, 16 and 20 points, respectively, from the country’s 2022 results.
abtestabtest President Marcos has no plans to resign – Palace By Helen Flores | 22 hours ago President Marcos has no plans of stepping down, Malacañang said yesterday, after the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte... Headlines Senators should consider commuting to work – Sherwin By Neil Jayson Servallos | 22 hours ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers yesterday to try commuting to work, inspired by a Department... Headlines At least 3 dead from school shooting in South Cotabato By Cristina Chi | 1 day ago The Department of Education confirmed on Friday, September 18, a reported shooting incident at Banga National High School... Headlines House prosecutors defend statements on impeachment By Daphne Galvez | 22 hours ago Members of the House prosecution panel have maintained that their statements on the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte were not about the merits of the case, but merely on procedure and summary... Headlines Senate warned over revising impeachment vote threshold By Mark Ernest Villeza | 1 day ago Senators acting as judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may face legal challenge including criminal... Headlines Latest More in Headlines South Cotabato campus gun attack planned a month prior Nearly P11/liter diesel price hike seen; P5 for gas BFAR vessel hit by China Coast Guard ship Bishop: 39 years long enough, pass anti-dynasty law abtest DFA: No asylum info on Zaldy Co, Harry Roque By Neil Jayson Servallos | 22 hours ago The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) cannot verify the asylum status of former congressman Zaldy Co and former presidential... Headlines Tropical storm forms outside PAR By Josiah Antonio | 22 hours ago The tropical cyclone outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), with the international name Dujuan, has developed... Headlines Villar family faces graft complaints over PrimeWater deals By Daphne Galvez | 22 hours ago The Office of the Ombudsman filed criminal and administrative complaints against members of the Villar family yesterday over... Headlines Shipping firm bans EVs on board By Evelyn Macairan | 22 hours ago Domestic shipping company Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. has banned the loading of electric and hybrid vehicles aboard its... Headlines Philippines tagged as deadliest Asian country for environmentalists By Andrew Ronquillo | 22 hours ago The Philippines was named as the deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders for the 13th consecutive year, climate justice watchdog Global Witness reported. Headlines Recommended Senators should consider commuting to work – Sherwin 22 hours ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers yesterday to try commuting to work, inspired by a Department... HeadlinesSENATESENATOR President Marcos has no plans to resign – Palace 22 hours ago President Marcos has no plans of stepping down, Malacañang said yesterday, after the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte... HeadlinesMALACAñANGRESIGNS House prosecutors defend statements on impeachment September 19, 2026 - 12:00am Members of the House prosecution panel have maintained that their statements on the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte were not about the merits of the case, but merely on procedure and summary...r HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT Senate warned over revising impeachment vote threshold 1 day ago Senators acting as judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may face legal challenge including criminal... HeadlinesSALVADOR PANELO Palace questions VP Sara’s capability to lead Philippines 1 day ago Malacañang questioned the capability of Vice President Sara Duterte to lead the country after her camp claimed... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE next Recommended Senators should consider commuting to work – Sherwin Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged his fellow lawmakers yesterday to try commuting to work, inspired by a Department of Transportation policy requiring key DOTr officials to experience the daily troubles of the riding public firsthand. 22 hours ago SENATE SENATOR President Marcos has no plans to resign – Palace President Marcos has no plans of stepping down, Malacañang said yesterday, after the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte said she is ready to replace him in case he resigns. 22 hours ago MALACAñANG RESIGNS House prosecutors defend statements on impeachment Members of the House prosecution panel have maintained that their statements on the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte were not about the merits of the case, but merely on procedure and summary of the proceedings. 22 hours ago IMPEACHMENT Senate warned over revising impeachment vote threshold Senators acting as judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may face legal challenge including criminal cases if they proceed with changing the two-thirds voting requirement for her conviction, according to former presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo. 1 day ago SALVADOR PANELO Palace questions VP Sara’s capability to lead Philippines Malacañang questioned the capability of Vice President Sara Duterte to lead the country after her camp claimed she is ready to succeed President Marcos. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
