Introduction

The Aral Law, formally known as Republic Act No. 11935, is a progressive measure aimed at
closing critical gaps in the Philippine education system, particularly in foundational literacy and
numeracy skills. According to the World Bank and the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics,
a substantial number of Filipino students struggle with basic reading, writing, and arithmetic,
partly due to overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, and limited teacher training. The Aral
Law attempts to address these systemic issues by focusing on foundational learning that can
significantly impact students' academic success and their capacity for lifelong learning. In this
reaction, I will delve deeper into the law’s key elements, strengths, potential obstacles, and
broader implications.

Detailed Analysis of the Aral Law’s Key Components

1. Focus on Foundational Skills

The Aral Law places significant emphasis on literacy and numeracy in the early stages of
a child’s education. Research has shown that a lack of mastery in these areas leads to
compounding difficulties in higher grades, as students struggle to understand increasingly
complex subjects without a solid foundation. Under the Aral Law, educators are
mandated to track students' progress in reading and math from early grades, with
intervention provided for those who fall behind. This includes:
o Systematic Screening: Schools will conduct routine assessments to monitor
students’ progress in literacy and numeracy.
o Tiered Intervention: Once identified, students receive differentiated instruction
based on their needs, including small-group tutoring, specialized support, and
additional learning materials.
2. Remedial Programs and Tutorial Services
The law requires schools to establish remedial classes and tutorial services, particularly
for those in underserved areas. These programs aim to give students the opportunity to
receive one-on-one or small-group instruction, which can be vital for struggling learners.
Specific provisions include:
o Qualified Tutors and Instructors: Schools will hire or assign teachers who have
received additional training in delivering remedial education, focusing on students
who need intensive support.
o Flexible Learning Schedules: Tutorial sessions may be offered during after-
school hours, weekends, or even during school breaks to ensure that students have
ample time to catch up without disrupting their regular classes.
3. Community and Stakeholder Involvement
Another important feature of the Aral Law is the active involvement of local
communities, government agencies, NGOs, and even private entities. The law recognizes
that educational improvement cannot rely solely on schools. Provisions include:
o Partnerships with Local Government Units (LGUs): LGUs are expected to
work closely with schools to allocate resources, identify target groups, and
monitor progress.
 o Parent and Community Engagement: Parents and community members are
encouraged to participate in school-based programs, assisting in tutorial activities,
mentoring, or providing additional support at home.
4. Teacher Training and Professional Development
The Aral Law acknowledges that effective teaching is fundamental to the success of these
remedial efforts. Teachers will receive specialized training in teaching foundational
skills, using techniques that foster better engagement and retention for struggling
learners. Key aspects include:
o Professional Development Programs: The Department of Education (DepEd)
will conduct training sessions for teachers to equip them with new teaching
methodologies and strategies for differentiated instruction.
o Regular Feedback and Mentorship: Teachers participating in remedial
programs will receive ongoing feedback and mentorship to ensure that they are
adequately supported.

Strengths of the Aral Law

1. Focus on Early Intervention

By prioritizing foundational skills in the early years, the Aral Law offers a preventive
approach that aims to stop learning deficits before they grow. This approach is consistent
with studies showing that early intervention can dramatically improve academic
performance, reduce dropout rates, and foster confidence in learning. For example,
students who master literacy early on are more likely to succeed in all subjects, as they
can comprehend written instructions and engage more fully in the curriculum.
2. Equitable Access to Quality Education
The Aral Law seeks to level the playing field for students from disadvantaged
backgrounds. Many rural areas lack the resources that urban schools have, and students in
these areas are often left behind. By targeting resources specifically for struggling
learners, the law hopes to bridge this gap and ensure that all students have an equal
opportunity to succeed.
3. Community-Centric Approach
Involving local stakeholders creates a sense of shared responsibility and accountability.
Community members, parents, and local leaders are more likely to invest in a program
they helped build, making the Aral Law’s success a community priority. This can also
lead to additional resources, such as volunteer tutors or additional donations from local
businesses.

Challenges and Potential Obstacles

1. Shortage of Qualified Teachers and Tutors

The effectiveness of the Aral Law hinges on the availability of trained professionals to
deliver remedial instruction. The Philippines has a high student-to-teacher ratio,
particularly in public schools. Finding and training enough qualified tutors and remedial
instructors poses a logistical and financial challenge. The DepEd will need to scale up
teacher training programs and possibly incentivize teachers to take on additional
responsibilities.
 2. Funding and Resource Allocation
Implementing the Aral Law requires substantial financial investment. With the limited
budget in the education sector, there is a concern that the funds required may not be
adequately or sustainably provided. Allocating funds for salaries, materials, facilities, and
monitoring systems will require prioritization by both national and local governments,
especially if long-term results are not immediately visible.
3. Sustained Monitoring and Evaluation
Ensuring the Aral Law’s success will require consistent monitoring and evaluation to
track its impact and effectiveness. Establishing a comprehensive system to collect data on
student progress, teaching quality, and resource allocation is essential but challenging.
Effective monitoring will depend on a coordinated effort between schools, LGUs, and
DepEd to ensure that progress is measurable and that adjustments can be made when
necessary.

Broader Implications of the Aral Law

The Aral Law could potentially transform the Philippine education landscape by setting a
precedent for how foundational learning is prioritized and addressed. If implemented
successfully, it could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges in literacy
and numeracy. Additionally, it could spark further reforms in education policy, such as
implementing more inclusive curriculums or reinforcing lifelong learning habits.

Personal Reflection and Conclusion

As a future educator, the Aral Law resonates strongly with my values of equity and inclusion in
education. It underscores the notion that every child, regardless of background or socioeconomic
status, deserves access to a quality education that prepares them for a successful future. While
the challenges are significant, the law's potential impact on Filipino students’ lives and the
nation's educational standards is substantial.

In conclusion, the Aral Law is an ambitious but necessary step to address foundational skill
deficits in Philippine education. It aligns well with the goals of creating a more inclusive and
supportive learning environment, though its success will depend on careful planning, adequate
funding, and the dedication of educators, communities, and policymakers alike.

UPDATED
 Commission on Higher Education
Samar Colleges, Inc.
COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES
Catbalogan City, Samar

Subject : EE - 205
Subject Code : MA010
Course : MAEd - Elementary Education
Course Description Title : Advanced TeachingStrategies1
Professor : Ruperto N. Torrechiva, MAEd
Academic Term and School Year : 1st Sem S.Y 2024
Submitted by JEAN MARIEL C. UBALDE
Topic REACTION PAPER ABOUT
ARAL LAW

MY REACTION PAPER ABOUT ARAL LAW

INTRODUCTION

The Aral Law, officially known as Republic Act No. 11935, is a progressive policy designed to
close major gaps in the Philippine education system, particularly in core literacy and numeracy
skills. According to the World Bank and the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics, a
significant number of Filipino pupils struggle with basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, which
can be attributed to overcrowded classrooms, a lack of resources, and inadequate teacher
preparation. The Aral Law aims to solve these systemic difficulties by focussing on basic
learning, which has a substantial impact on students' academic progress and potential for lifetime
learning. In this response, I will look more into the law's essential components, strengths,
potential stumbling blocks, and broader ramifications.

Detailed Analysis of the Aral Law’s Key Components

1. Focus on Foundational Skills
The Aral Law emphasises reading and numeracy in the early phases of a child's education.
According to research, a lack of proficiency in these areas exacerbates challenges in higher
grades, as children struggle to comprehend more complicated courses without a firm foundation.
The Aral Law requires educators to track pupils' progress in reading and maths beginning in the
first grade, with intervention available for those who fall behind. This includes:

Systematic Screening: Schools will conduct routine assessments to monitor students’ progress in
literacy and numeracy.
Tiered Intervention: Once identified, students receive differentiated instruction based on their
needs, including small-group tutoring, specialized support, and additional learning materials.
2. Remedial Programs and Tutorial Services
the law requires schools to establish remedial classes and tutorial services, particularly for those
in underserved areas. These programs aim to give students the opportunity to receive one-on-one
or small-group instruction, which can be vital for struggling learners. Specific provisions
include:
Qualified Tutors and Instructors: Schools will hire or assign teachers who have received
additional training in delivering remedial education, focusing on students who need intensive
support.
Flexible Learning Schedules: Tutorial sessions may be offered during after-school hours,
weekends, or even during school breaks to ensure that students have ample time to catch up
without disrupting their regular classes.
3. Community and Stakeholder Involvement
Another key characteristic of the Aral Law is the active participation of local communities,
government institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and even corporate
businesses. The law recognises that educational improvement cannot be based entirely on
schools. Provisions include: LGUs collaborate with schools to allocate resources, identify target
groups, and track progress. Parents and community members are encouraged to participate in
school-based initiatives, such as tutoring, mentoring, and providing assistance at home.
4. Teacher Training and Professional Development
The Aral Law acknowledges that effective teaching is fundamental to the success of these
remedial efforts. Teachers will receive specialized training in teaching foundational skills, using
techniques that foster better engagement and retention for struggling learners. Key aspects
include:
Professional Development Programs: The Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct
training sessions for teachers to equip them with new teaching methodologies and strategies for
differentiated instruction.
Regular Feedback and Mentorship: Teachers participating in remedial programs will receive
ongoing feedback and mentorship to ensure that they are adequately supported.
Strengths of the Aral Law
Prioritise Early Intervention
the Aral Law is a preventive strategy that seeks to halt learning deficiencies before they worsen
by giving priority to core abilities in the early years. This strategy is in line with research that
demonstrates how early intervention can significantly raise academic achievement, lower
dropout rates, and increase learning confidence. Early literacy development, for instance,
increases a student's chances of success in all courses since it allows them to understand written
instructions and participate more actively in the curriculum.
Fairly Distributed Access to High-Quality Education
the Aral Law aims to give students from underprivileged backgrounds equal opportunities.
Students in many rural communities are frequently left behind because they lack the resources
that urban schools have. The law seeks to close this gap and guarantee that every student has an
equal chance to succeed by focussing resources on difficult learners.
Community-Based Method
There is a sense of shared ownership and responsibility when local stakeholders are involved.
Making the success of the Aral Law a community priority increases the likelihood that parents,
community members, and local leaders will fund a program they helped create. Additionally, this
may result in more resources, like volunteer tutors or more contributions from nearby companies.

Challenges and Potential Obstacles

1. Lack of Eligible Tutors and Teachers

Having qualified specialists available to provide remedial education is essential to
the Aral Law's efficacy. In the Philippines, especially in public schools, the
student-teacher ratio is high. A logistical and economical difficulty is finding and
training enough certified remedial instructors and tutors. It will be necessary for
the DepEd to expand its programs for training teachers and perhaps provide
incentives for them to take on more duties.
2. Finance and Allocation of Resources
Putting the Aral Law into effect will cost a lot of money. There is worry that the
money needed might not be supplied sufficiently or sustainably given the school
sector's tight budget. Both the federal government and local governments will
need to prioritise allocating cash for facilities, monitoring systems, supplies, and
salaries, particularly if long-term outcomes are not immediately apparent.
3. Consistent Monitoring and Evaluation
to ensure the Aral Law's success, it will be necessary to continuously monitor and
evaluate its impact and effectiveness. Creating a thorough system for collecting
data on student growth, instructional quality, and resource allocation is necessary
yet difficult. Effective monitoring will require a collaborative effort by schools,
LGUs, and DepEd to ensure that success is measurable and that modifications can
be made as needed.

Broader Implications of the Aral Law

The Aral Law has the ability to alter the Philippine educational landscape by establishing a
precedent for prioritising and addressing basic learning. If properly implemented, it could serve
as a model for other countries dealing with comparable literacy and numeracy issues. It may also
drive other educational policy improvements, such as the implementation of more inclusive
curriculums or the reinforcement of lifelong learning habits.

Personal Reflections and Conclusion

As a future educator, the Aral Law clearly aligns with my beliefs of equity and inclusiveness in
education. It emphasises the idea that every kid, regardless of background or socioeconomic
level, is entitled to a quality education that prepares them for a successful future. While the
hurdles are great, the law has the potential to significantly improve the lives of Filipino students
and the country's educational standards.
To summarise, the Aral Law is a bold but important move towards addressing fundamental skill
gaps in Philippine education. It is consistent with the goals of establishing a more inclusive and
supportive learning environment, albeit its success will be dependent on careful planning, proper
funding, and the commitment of educators, communities, and legislators alike.