NATIONAL LITERACY DRIVE INTENSIFIES: DepEd’s ARAL Program flags struggling readers; Tupi NHS reports dozens of non-readers
As the Department of Education (DepEd) strengthened its nationwide literacy recovery campaign under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, local data from Tupi National High School (Tupi NHS) revealed that dozens of junior high school students remain classified as frustrated or non-readers despite being in Grades 7 to 10.
During a mini press conference on February 23, 2026, ARAL Program coordinator Edna Quinolog presented updated school figures showing the extent of reading gaps among learners.
Hundreds Identified for Reading Intervention
Quinolog reported that in Grade 7 alone, out of 875 enrollees, 144 students were identified as needing reading intervention under the ARAL Program, with 87 still undergoing remediation.
“In our school, we have students from Grades 7 to 10 who are classified as frustrated readers and non-readers,” Quinolog said.
“These are learners who either cannot read fluently or cannot understand what they are reading,” she added.
Similar cases were recorded in higher grade levels, with some students still enrolled in the summer program after failing to meet post-test benchmarks.
“If they pass the post-test, they will move forward. But if not, they will continue in our summer program,” she explained.
Phonics-Based Approach to Recovery
Under the ARAL Reading component, the school implements daily 30-minute intervention sessions focusing on foundational literacy skills.
She clarified that not all students under ARAL are completely illiterate.
“Some of them can read, but they cannot understand what they are reading. Comprehension is also part of our focus,” she added.
School Schedule Restructured for ARAL Program
To accommodate the intervention program, Tupi NHS adjusted its class schedule.
Regular subject periods were reduced to 55 minutes, and academic classes now run four days a week from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays dedicated to workbook checking and assessment.
The program provides free tutorial support facilitated by trained teachers and volunteer tutors.
Beyond Literacy: Addressing Emotional Impact
Quinolog also acknowledged the emotional toll on students placed under remedial programs.
“When a student is included in the ARAL Program, sometimes they feel ashamed,” she said.
As implementation continues in 2026, schools like Tupi National High School remain at the forefront of DepEd’s literacy recovery mission — confronting the reality that even at the secondary level, foundational reading remains a pressing challenge.
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