.The University of Northern Philippines has rolled out its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) para sa Kinabukasan Program at Vigan National High School–East in Nagsangalan, Vigan City, through the joint efforts of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (DMNS) and the Department of Languages and Humanities (DLH) of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The ARAL sessions conducted in multiple waves on September 19 and 26, October 17, and November 7 and 14, 2025, providing sustained instructional support to learners and reinforcing the University’s mission to promote accessible, high-quality academic assistance across local communities forms part of the University’s flagship extension program, “Math-tuto ka sa Natural na Siyensiya.”
Designed as a targeted intervention to curb recurring learning gaps among junior high school students, the ARAL program focused on strengthening reading comprehension, numeracy, and basic scientific literacy—key skill areas crucial to student progression and long-term academic success. Through structured remedial lessons rooted in evidence-based teaching approaches, the initiative aimed to boost learner performance and build the cognitive foundations necessary for more advanced learning.
The ARAL para sa Kinabukasan initiative was spearheaded by a core team—Dr. Restituto Llagas Jr., Mr. Allen Magdaleno de Vera, Dr. Tirso Tactay, Mr. Rhommel Aninag, and Ms. Roselyn Rabanzo—whose efforts were reinforced by faculty members from both the DMNS and DLH. The University Extension Office, headed by Director Dr. Lloyd Mata, provided strategic program guidance to ensure that the rollout of ARAL is consistent with the University’s mandate and aligned with broader national education thrusts.
Vigan National High School–East, under the leadership of Principal Anita Presto, has expressed full commitment to the partnership, recognizing the program’s potential to enhance learner readiness, strengthen foundational competencies, and promote greater student engagement in the classroom.
Grounded in contemporary educational frameworks, the ARAL para sa Kinabukasan Program placed culturally responsive and gender-transformative teaching at its core. The initiative stressed inclusivity, equity, and respect for learner diversity, guaranteeing that students—regardless of gender, socio-economic circumstances, or cultural background—receive fair and meaningful access to academic support.
Faculty members from DMNS and DLH jointly conducted tutorials in Reading, Mathematics, and Science, using differentiated, interactive strategies aligned with current learning standards. This interdisciplinary collaboration allows the program to respond more effectively to varied learning needs, delivering holistic and context-sensitive interventions that strengthen student performance across subject areas.
The initiative likewise reinforced the University’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By integrating global education priorities into a local community-based program, the University of Northern Philippines demonstrated its active role in advancing inclusive development while remaining committed in its mission of community engagement and academic empowerment.
Article by Roselyn Rabanzo
