Parents team up with teachers, tutors to help kids love math again

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is mobilizing teachers, tutors, and parents nationwide to strengthen mathematics learning recovery through the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Mathematics Program.

Under DepEd Memorandum No. 060, s. 2026, ARAL Mathematics will be implemented in public elementary and secondary schools for grades 1 through 10 beginning in the school year 2026-2027, according to a DepEd statement on Wednesday.

The program uses assessment results to identify students who require support and provides structured, practice-based, and self-paced tutoring to help them achieve grade-level mathematics proficiency.

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READ: DepEd includes math in learning recovery program, flexible tutoring

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Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the value of using assessment results.

“Children don’t experience the same difficulties in mathematics,” he said in Filipino.

“For some, basic counting is hard. For others, it’s arithmetic operations. And there are also more complicated concepts. So it’s important that we identify where they need help and allow them to learn at their own pace, with sufficient guidance and support,” he added.

To support the implementation, DepEd conducted a nationwide online seminar on Oct. 19 to orient teachers, tutors, school heads, and ARAL focal persons on implementation guidelines, tutoring sessions, and learning materials.

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The webinar drew more than 26,000 live viewers nationwide. Learners are identified through the Rapid Mathematics Assessment (RMA), with priority given to those assessed as “not proficient” or “low proficient.” Schools may group students according to their identified needs and adjust interventions as their skills improve.

Based on the beginning-of-school-year assessment results, more than 11 million learners nationwide were identified as requiring additional support in mathematics, underscoring the importance of targeted intervention in numeracy and coordinated support from schools and families.

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ARAL Mathematics uses structured worksheets that build mathematical skills through manageable, progressively challenging activities.

Sessions are designed for small groups, with a recommended tutor-to-learner ratio of 1:10 or a maximum of 1:15, ensuring more focused and personalized support.

Tutors serve as facilitators, guiding students through questions, hints, and feedback rather than relying on conventional lectures.

The program also uses Individual Mathematics Intervention Plans to monitor learner progress and adjust support according to identified learning needs.

Schools may conduct ARAL Mathematics through face-to-face, online, or blended sessions, depending on their resources and local conditions.

Sessions may also be scheduled during class hours, before or after classes, or through other arrangements, as approved at the division level and subject to the guidelines.

READ: DepEd delivers, reports literacy and numeracy gains nationwide

DepEd is also encouraging schools to engage parents in monitoring their children’s progress and reinforcing positive learning habits at home. Through school orientations and regular communication, families can better understand the support their children need and work with teachers and tutors throughout the intervention.

According to DepEd, it will continue supporting schools and field offices in implementing ARAL Mathematics through learner assessment, appropriate learning resources, tutor guidance, and progress monitoring, consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen foundational learning.

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“It’s important that children who are having difficulty in math do not lose confidence. With the help of teachers, tutors, and parents, we can give them more opportunities to practice, inquire, and learn not to be afraid of hard questions. Every small improvement is a valuable step towards building a stronger foundation for learning,” Angara said. /atm