NATIONAL LEARNING RECOVERY EXPANDS: DepEd’s ARAL Program integrates emotional support; Quinilog highlights trains tutors in social-emotional learning
Beyond addressing reading gaps, the nationwide Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program of the Department of Education is now emphasizing students’ emotional well-being, with Tupi National High School, according to ARAL Program Coordinator Edna Quinolog, integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into its remediation efforts.
During a mini press conference on February 23, 2026, Quinolog underscored that literacy intervention alone is not enough, especially for learners who experience shame and low self-esteem after being identified for remediation.
Students Struggle with Stigma
Quinolog acknowledged that being placed under the ARAL Program can affect students emotionally.
She clarified that not all learners under the program are completely illiterate.
“Actually, there are those who can read but they cannot understand what they are reading. Not all ARAL students are illiterate. They know how to read, but they are not good at understanding,” Quinolog explained.
The school emphasized that comprehension difficulties are equally prioritized under ARAL, not just basic decoding skills.
SEL Seminar for Tutors
To address emotional and psychological concerns, teachers serving as ARAL tutors attended the SEL seminar
“This is not only for ARAL tutors. This can also be applied in our classroom,” Quinolog said.
She explained that the seminar trains teachers to help students develop skills in understanding and managing their emotions while making responsible decisions.
“Because now, there are many ARAL tutors who cannot manage their emotions. That is why there are seminars for our ARAL tutors to assess their emotions,” she added.
The training aims to ensure that tutors respond with empathy and professionalism when handling struggling learners.
Recovery Beyond Academics
Under Republic Act No. 12028, the ARAL Program was institutionalized to address learning losses in reading, mathematics, and science. However, schools like Tupi National High School are expanding the scope to include mental and emotional recovery as part of holistic education reform.
Quinolog stressed that reading intervention must go hand-in-hand with confidence building.
“This is not only about reading. It is also about helping them understand and improve,” she emphasized during the briefing.
As ARAL continues to roll out nationwide in 2026, Tupi’s integration of emotional support mechanisms reflects a growing recognition that academic recovery requires both cognitive and emotional reinforcement.
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