DepEd’s ARAL program aims to improve Reading and Math among Filipino students. Many teachers support this goal because every educator dreams of helping children learn better. However, teachers are now expressing their frustration.

The program was rolled out quickly, with little preparation. Many teachers are tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. And yet, they keep going because they love their students. But how long can they continue working under this pressure?

Why Teachers Support ARAL but Feel Overwhelmed

Teachers agree that improving reading and math is important. But according to many of them, DepEd implemented the ARAL program without enough preparation.

Here are some of their concerns:

1. Lack of Reference Books and Materials

Teachers have no standard reference books or workbooks for ARAL. Instead, they have to search for lessons, create their own PowerPoint presentations, and print their own materials.

Some teachers said they would be fine with soft copies because they can print them in school, but DepEd did not provide any.

2. No Video or Online Learning Support

Teachers suggested that DepEd could have provided a YouTube channel with ready-made educational videos. This would help them teach more effectively, especially for topics that need visual aids.

3. More Work, Less Time to Prepare

Because there are no ready-made materials, teachers now spend their nights making Detailed Lesson Plans (DLPs), PowerPoint slides, and printed worksheets.

This extra workload comes on top of the new Revised Curriculum, which many teachers are still trying to adjust to. Some teachers are even asked to teach topics that need animation and ICT skills they were not trained for.

4. Mental Health Struggles

Teachers are exhausted. They work long hours, often sacrificing sleep, just to make sure students understand the lessons. One teacher wrote, “Half of our body, mind, and soul wants to give up, but for the children, we keep going.”

Why Proper Planning Matters

Good programs need good preparation. Teachers believe DepEd should have:

• Studied and tested the program longer before implementing it.
• Prepared reference books or soft copies for all schools.
• Consulted teachers about what they need before rolling out the program.
• Given enough time to train teachers for the Revised Curriculum.

If teachers are prepared, they can teach better. When teachers are struggling, students also suffer.

What Teachers Are Asking From DepEd

Teachers are not rejecting the ARAL program. They just want DepEd to:

1. Provide proper teaching materials – books, workbooks, or soft copies.
2. Create online resources – like a YouTube channel for ARAL lessons.
3. Give enough training before new programs are implemented.
4. Respect teachers’ mental health – by giving reasonable time for preparation.
5. Listen to teachers’ feedback – because they are the ones directly teaching the students.

One teacher wrote, “We love our students, and we will do everything for them. But please, love us too.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)