Gatchalian: Learning recovery program to complement resumption of face-to-face classes

Though the gradual resumption of face-to-face classes is a crucial first step to restore normalcy in the basic education sector, Senator Win Gatchalian pressed the need to implement a nationwide learning remedial program to address learning losses because of prolonged school closures.

Gatchalian pitched anew his proposed learning recovery program called the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL), which is outlined in Senate Bill No. 2355. The proposed ARAL program, which will include well-systematized tutorial sessions, will target those who did not enroll last school year, those who are lagging academically, and those who are at and marginally above the minimum level of mastery required in Language, Mathematics, and Science.

"Habang unti-unti nating binubuksan ang mga paaralan, kailangang samahan natin ito ng tutorial sessions para sa mga mag-aaral. Dapat nating tiyaking makakahabol sila sa kanilang pag-aaral at maiwasan ang pag-urong ng kanilang kaalaman," said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

The World Bank's simulation analysis of learning losses estimates that Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling (LAYS) will go down from 7.5 years to 5.7 to 6.1 years, an equivalent of 1.4 to 1.7 years. This means that for 12 years of basic education, the quality of learning will only be equivalent to an effective 5.7 to 6.1 years of schooling.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also estimates that for one school year without face-to-face classes, the economy is set to lose P11 trillion in the next 40 years.

To mitigate pandemic-related learning losses, the ARAL Program shall cover the most essential learning competencies under Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and Science for Grades 3 to 10. The program will also prioritize Reading, which is included in the most essential learning competencies under Language. For Kindergarten learners, literacy and numeracy competencies will be strengthened.

Tutorial sessions under the ARAL Program shall be undertaken through face-to-face, online, or blended learning to ensure their accessibility to all learners.

The program's tutors will be teachers, para-teachers, and student-volunteers from the tertiary level who have to pass a mock tutoring session by the Department of Education (DepEd). Services for two semesters by student-volunteers shall be deemed as completion of the Literacy Training Service under the National Service Training Program (NSTP).

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Gatchalian: Remedial program kinakailangan para sa pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes

Bagama't isang mahalagang hakbang sa pagbabalik-normal ng edukasyon ang marahang pagbabalik sa face-to-face classes, binigyang diin ni Senador Win Gatchalian na dapat magpatupad ng remedial programs upang makahabol ang mga mag-aaral sa kanilang mga aralin. Ito ay sa kabila ng pinangangambahang pag-urong ng kaalaman dahil sa mahigit isang taon na pagsasara ng mga paaralan.

Isinusulong ni Gatchalian ang kaniyang panukalang programa para sa learning recovery na Academic Recovery at Accessible Learning (ARAL) o Senate Bill No. 2355. Kabilang sa panukalang programa ang mga sistematikong tutorial sessions, kung saan ang inaasahang mga lalahok ay ang mga hindi nag-enroll noong nagdaang school year, pati na rin ang mga nahihirapan sa subjects na Language, Mathematics, at Science.

"Habang unti-unti nating binubuksan ang mga paaralan, kailangang samahan natin ito ng tutorial sessions para sa mga mag-aaral. Dapat nating tiyaking makakahabol sila sa kanilang pag-aaral at maiwasan ang pag-urong ng kanilang kaalaman," pahayag ni Gatchalian, Chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Ayon sa pagsusuri ng World Bank sa learning losses na dulot ng pandemya, ang Learning-Adjusted Years of Schooling (LAYS) ay tinatayang bababa mula 7.5 na taon patungo sa 5.7 hanggang 6.1 na taon, o katumbas ng 1.4 hanggang 1.7 taon na nawala. Ibig sabihin, ang kalidad ng edukasyon para sa labindalawang (12) taon ng basic education ay magiging katumbas na lamang ng 5.7 hanggang 6.1 na taon ng pag-aaral.

Tinataya ng National Economic and Development Authority na dahil sa isang taon ng kawalan ng face-to-face classes, mawawala sa ekonomiya ang labing-isang (11) trilyong piso sa susunod na apat na dekada.

Upang mapigilan ang lalong pag-urong ng pag-aaral, tututukan ng programang ARAL ang tinaguriang most essential learning competencies o basic subjects tulad ng Language at Mathematics para sa Grade 1 hanggang 10. Tututukan din ang Science mula Grade 3 hanggang 10. Bibigyan ng prayoridad ang Reading o Pagbasa upang mahasa ang critical thinking at analytical thinking skills ng mga mag-aaral. Para sa Kindergarten naman, tututukan ng programa ang literacy at numeracy competencies.

Upang maabot ang bawat mag-aaral, ang ARAL Program ay isasagawa sa pamamagitan ng face-to-face, online, at blended learning.

Mga guro, para-teachers, at mga volunteer students mula sa kolehiyo ang magsisilbing mga tutor sa naturang programa. Ang mga volunteers mula sa kolehiyo ay dapat makapasa sa isang mock tutoring session na isasagawa ng Department of Education (DepEd). Ang pagsisilbi sa programa sa loob ng dalawang semestre ay maituturing na pag-kumpleto nila sa Literacy Training Service sa ilalim ng National Service Training Program (NSTP).

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