As the Department of Education (DepEd) officially launches the 2026 Summer Remediation Programs (SRP) nationwide, Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the vital role of teachers and tutors in helping struggling learners achieve grade-level proficiency.
Running from May 6 to June 2, the initiative comes as DepEd works to sustain gains in learning recovery and address remaining gaps in foundational skills, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize learning recovery.
The SRP will provide focused support in reading and mathematics to about 2.7 million learners from Grades 2 to 11, helping them prepare for the upcoming school year.
Central to the effort is the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (Aral) Program, a key component of the SRP, which delivers structured, targeted interventions through a network of tutors composed of teachers, para-teachers, pre-service teachers, and qualified volunteers.
Alongside Aral, other school-based remediation efforts are being implemented to respond more directly to learner needs.
“Every child who improves has teachers and tutors who devote time and effort. We recognize this sacrifice. Alongside SRP and Aral, we continue to ensure that our teachers and tutors are supported, respected, and cared for,” Angara said.
“Through SRP and Aral, and with the help of our teachers and tutors, we can ensure the continuous progress of every learner until they achieve grade-level proficiency,” he added.
Across communities, teachers and tutors have become key partners in supporting learners’ progress.
For Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman CJ Gaoat from Ilocos Sur, volunteering as an Aral tutor was a way to extend support within her community.
“When my high school teachers contacted me, I realized that learners need guidance not only from our teachers, but also from us—those who can extend help,” she said.
In Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, Aral tutor Mie Camasura emphasized the importance of patience and presence. “When you step in as a tutor, you aren’t just teaching ABCs. You’re pulling up a chair and telling a child that they aren’t slow; they just need someone to listen.”
Master Teacher Elsie Apigo from San Fernando, La Union highlighted the importance of mentorship in strengthening the program.
“I make sure to provide technical assistance to Aral tutors by sharing innovative teaching strategies to encourage fun and engaging Aral sessions. I always tell them that the ARAL program is an apt venue for them to grow professionally,” she said.
For aspiring teacher Mark Sumatra, Aral serves as a meaningful entry point into the profession.
“It’s a big help for us teacher applicants because it serves as a proper and formal way to hone and develop us as tutors while helping learners improve,” he said.
The program builds on end-of-year results showing that 4.5 million learners improved in literacy and numeracy, reducing the number of struggling learners from 6.7 million to 2.2 million, based on end-of-school-year assessments.
At the same time, DepEd noted that challenges remain, including sustaining progress at the secondary level and addressing persistent difficulties in mathematics and higher-order skills such as analysis and application.
The learning recovery initiative aligns with Angara’s broader policy and legislative efforts to strengthen foundational education.
Having helped author Republic Act No. 12028, or the Aral Program Act, as a senator, Angara signed its Implementing Rules and Regulations in December 2024 in his capacity as DepEd Secretary, turning policy into direct support for learners.
DepEd emphasized that learning recovery requires sustained and collective effort, with Aral and the SRP working together to ensure that early improvements translate into lasting learning outcomes across the system.
