The Department of Education (DepEd) has formally launched the regional level of the ARAL Program in Calabarzon, a flagship effort designed to strengthen reading proficiency among Filipino students. The event was held at Santiago Integrated High School in Barangay Santiago, attended by DepEd officials, local government leaders, and school representatives.
DepEd Undersecretary Felimon Ray Javier and Assistant Secretary Georgina Ann Yang led the launch, joined by General Trias Mayor Luis Ferrer IV, Rep. Antonio Ferrer, and Vice Mayor Jonas Labuguen. The ceremony also included the turnover of 219 laptops for teachers and reading materials for students as part of the initiative’s support package.
RELATED: [Generation HOPE Program Launched To Bridge Classroom Gap]
Targeted Reading Support for Learners
Undersecretary Javier explained that ARAL-Reading aims to deliver timely and effective support for students who fall short of expected reading levels, with the goal of helping them meet grade-level standards set by DepEd.
“ARAL-Reading begins in the second quarter of school year 2025-2026. Schools that require more time to organize personnel and resources are directed to coordinate with the school’s division office regarding the appropriate steps to take,” Javier said.
The program, guided by a DepEd memorandum, provides free tutorials for learners in Grades 1 to 10. Instead of grouping by age, instruction will be based on each learner’s reading ability, ensuring that interventions are learner-centered and tailored to address specific gaps.
A Commitment to Address the Learning Crisis
DepEd Regional Director Alberto Escobarte and 24 school division superintendents also joined the event, participating in a commitment signing that emphasized the collective responsibility to address the nation’s education challenges.
“ARAL-Reading aims to provide timely, responsive, and effective support to learners who fall below the expected reading proficiency levels, enabling them to catch up with the grade-level expectations set by the DepEd,” Javier stressed.
Boosting Literacy and the Future of Education
The Philippines has consistently ranked low in international literacy and learning assessments, with studies highlighting weaknesses in reading comprehension among youth. These gaps, made worse by the pandemic, have raised concerns over the long-term competitiveness of Filipino students.
By investing in structured interventions like ARAL, DepEd seeks to reverse these trends and give students a stronger foundation in literacy—one of the most critical skills for lifelong learning.
If successfully implemented, the program could not only uplift reading proficiency rates but also transform the future of Philippine education by creating more confident learners prepared for higher studies and global opportunities.
RELATED: [New Bill Mandates West Philippine Sea Lessons For Students]
