DepEd seeks Congress' backing for separate pay for ARAL teachers

The Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking Congress’ support to amend the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Law to allow separate compensation for teachers serving as ARAL tutors, saying the agency needs clear legal authority and funding before it can provide additional pay.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said DepEd recognizes the additional work performed by teachers under the learning recovery program but must comply with existing laws and budgetary limitations.

“Malinaw ang posisyon ng DepEd: gusto nating suportahan at kilalanin ang dagdag na trabaho ng ating teachers sa ARAL Program. Pero kailangan din nating sumunod sa batas at sa pondong ipinagkaloob sa atin. Magbibigay tayo ng compensation kung may malinaw na legal basis at sapat na budget para rito,” Angara said.

(DepEd’s position is clear: we want to support and recognize the additional work of our teachers under the ARAL Program. But we also have to comply with the law and the funds allocated to us. We will provide compensation if there is a clear legal basis and sufficient budget for it.)

According to DepEd, Republic Act No. 12028 or the ARAL Law, and the 2026 General Appropriations Act currently allow compensation for DepEd teachers serving as ARAL tutors only through overload pay after they have completed the required six hours of classroom teaching.

The department added that the 2026 national budget does not contain a separate appropriation that would allow compensation for ARAL tutors regardless of their regular teaching load.

DepEd said it has studied possible compensation schemes, estimating that a uniform-rate payment would require around P4.307 billion, while compensation based on the prime hourly teaching rate would require at least P7.266 billion.

The agency said these options would require amendments to the ARAL Law as well as corresponding appropriations starting School Year 2027–2028.

For School Year 2026–2027, DepEd said it will continue implementing the ARAL Program under the current legal framework. Teachers may receive overload pay or vacation service credits, while external tutors may be compensated based on approved guidelines and available funds.

Angara said DepEd remains committed to implementing the learning recovery program while ensuring teachers are fairly recognized.

“Hindi natin iiwan ang mga batang kailangan ng dagdag na tulong sa pagkatuto, at hindi rin natin isasantabi ang kapakanan ng teachers na tumutulong sa kanila. Ang kailangan ay maayos na polisiya, malinaw na batayan, at sapat na pondo para maging sustainable at patas ang pagpapatupad,” he said.

(We will not abandon learners who need additional academic support, nor will we neglect the welfare of the teachers helping them. What we need is sound policy, a clear legal basis, and adequate funding to ensure the program is implemented sustainably and fairly.)

DepEd said it will continue coordinating with Congress, the Department of Budget and Management, and other agencies to strengthen the implementation of the ARAL Program and provide technical inputs should lawmakers pursue amendments to the law. —KG, GMA News