The Department of Education is requesting an additional P145 billion in 2027 to fund the ARAL Program, hire new teachers, build classrooms, and improve students’ health, among others. Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced on Monday, September 7, that the proposed 2027 budget includes a zero allotment for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, raising concerns from officials and education advocates about the country’s ongoing learning crisis.
Zero Allotment Threatens Learning Recovery Efforts
The ARAL Program was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 12028 in October 2024 to assist public school students struggling in reading, mathematics, and science. However, according to Angara, the initiative received no funding in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). In contrast, the program was allocated P8.9 billion in the 2026 national budget. To counter this, the Department of Education presented a wishlist to lawmakers on Monday, asking for P15.98 billion to carry out the ARAL Program in 2027.
Angara defended the program during a House appropriations committee hearing, pointing to its recent performance. Out of the 6.67 million students who entered the ARAL Program, the department observed 4.5 million fewer struggling readers at the end of the previous school year, with 2.5 million students improving to grade-level reading, according to Angara. So far, the agency has only rolled out learning interventions for reading, though Angara expressed hope that sessions for mathematics and science can be included.
Did You Know?
The ARAL Program was formally institutionalized in October 2024 through Republic Act No. 12028, designed specifically to support public school students struggling with reading, mathematics, and science.
Teacher Workload and Funding Disputes
The lack of dedicated funding sparked immediate concern from labor groups. Ruby Bernardo, Alliance of Concerned Teachers national chairperson, voiced dismay over the zero budget and warned that remediation duties must be removed from teachers’ regular workloads. Bernardo stated that leaving tasks with teachers heavily impacts students’ learning recovery, noting that a lack of funding prevents the hiring of external tutors.
Angara sought intervention from lawmakers because Republic Act 12028 specifies that teachers are only entitled to overload pay if they exceed six hours of teaching. This leaves an unresolved issue regarding whether educators should receive compensation for handling ARAL tutor work regardless of their teaching load. To address the gap, Angara mentioned that the department is studying the possibility of providing a cash food allowance, subject to approval by the Commission on Audit, and considering the inclusion of certain teacher-related tasks—such as peer-mentoring or student advising—within the standard six-hour teaching load.
Expert Insight
As budget deliberations continue, education officials face the dual challenge of protecting core instructional reforms while managing substantial funding rollbacks. Karol Mark Yee, executive director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education, emphasized in a message that funding the ARAL Program is an urgent need given the millions of struggling readers, while also calling for a thorough review of how the department utilized its nearly P9 billion in ARAL funding this year.
Broader Budget Reductions and Agency Wishlists
Overall, the Department of Education and its attached agencies face a tighter fiscal outlook in the 2027 NEP, with a proposed allocation of P976 billion compared to the P1 trillion received in the 2026 national budget. To cover major gaps, the department requested P145.19 billion in additional funds from the House appropriations committee, while attached agencies asked for an extra P1.74 billion.
The requested funds include P33.53 billion for new personnel, as Angara noted that the proposed 2027 budget contains no allocation for hiring new teachers. Additionally, Angara lamented a reduction in the school-based feeding program, which dropped to a proposed P11 billion from P25.7 billion in the 2026 budget. This decrease may shorten the feeding cycle from 180 days to 120 days and halt universal feeding for all Grade 1 pupils. Additional budget requests also cover measures to address school violence, strengthen school safety, and expand access to mental health services. When asked how budget cuts would affect reforms, Angara told reporters after a seven-hour budget hearing that it would slow progress slightly, though the agency hopes for a restoration of specific items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ARAL Program?
The Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program is a national learning intervention institutionalized under Republic Act No. 12028 to help public school students who struggle in reading, mathematics, and science.
Why is the ARAL Program facing funding challenges for 2027?
The program received a zero allotment in the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program, prompting the Department of Education to submit a wishlist requesting P15.98 billion to sustain the initiative.
How much is the Department of Education requesting in total additional funds for 2027?
The department requested an additional P145.19 billion from the House appropriations committee, alongside P1.74 billion for its attached agencies, to cover programs, new personnel, and student welfare initiatives.
How will the reduction in the school-based feeding program budget impact students across the country?
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