“Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as hard duty..”-ALBERT EINSTEIN

Learning Lost, Futures at Risk: Addressing the Long-Term Impact of Pandemic Learning Gaps with High-Dosage Tutoring

Introduction: When the Bell Rang, No One Came

In a quiet barangay elementary school in South Mindanao, a Grade 5 teacher noticed something alarming. Out of her 40 students, only 12 could read at grade level—three years after the pandemic lockdowns began. The rest? Still decoding basic syllables, many unable to write complete sentences. This isn’t just a classroom problem—it’s a national crisis.


Across the globe, education systems are still reeling from the impact of COVID-19, and the Philippines is no exception. School closures lasted nearly two years here—among the longest in the world. While the country managed to adapt through modular and remote learning, many students fell behind, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. We now face a pressing, long-term challenge: pandemic-induced learning loss.

Background & Context: The Silent Slide

According to the World Bank, pandemic learning loss could result in today’s generation of students losing $17 trillion in lifetime earnings globally (World Bank, 2022). In the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) estimates that learning competencies in literacy and numeracy declined by 50% or more in many grade levels during the pandemic (DepEd, 2023).


The crisis disproportionately affects students in rural or low-income areas, where internet access, parental support, and basic resources were lacking. Teachers report students returning to face-to-face classes with significant delays in comprehension and cognitive skills—some unable to read fluently, others unable to solve basic math problems.

This isn’t just about test scores. It's about long-term productivity, equity, and national development. The question now is: How do we help these students catch up?

The Solution: High-Dosage Tutoring as Academic Recovery Strategy

One of the most promising interventions gaining traction globally is high-dosage tutoring—structured, regular, small-group or one-on-one academic support that complements in-class learning.


Unlike generic remediation programs, high-dosage tutoring targets individual student needs, often occurring three to five times a week, focusing on core subjects like literacy and math. A 2021 meta-analysis by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University showed that this method consistently yields significant improvements in student achievement, particularly for those most behind (Nickow et al., 2021).

Case in point: In Pasig City, a pilot tutoring program in 2023 trained college education majors to tutor public school students. After just 12 weeks, over 65% of students improved at least one reading level. The city government is now expanding the program in partnership with local universities and NGOs.


Challenges & Considerations: Bridging the Gaps Within the Gap

Of course, scaling high-dosage tutoring is no easy feat. Some of the major hurdles include:

  • Shortage of qualified tutors: Public schools already face a lack of teachers. Who will deliver tutoring?

  • Funding constraints: Sustained tutoring programs require time, salaries, and resources that many LGUs or schools cannot afford.

  • Logistics and scheduling: Coordinating sessions without disrupting core instruction is difficult, especially in already overcrowded public schools.

To address these, strategic solutions are being explored:

  • Volunteer-based models, tapping into education students, retired teachers, and community professionals

  • Edtech-assisted tutoring, where digital platforms supplement human instruction

  • Public-private partnerships with NGOs and businesses to fund training, monitoring, and impact assessment

What’s essential is that these programs are embedded within school ecosystems—not just occasional after-school extras.

Conclusion: A Time to Rebuild Smarter

Pandemic learning loss isn’t a phase—it’s a generational setback. But it’s not irreversible.

High-dosage tutoring, when thoughtfully implemented, offers not just academic recovery but educational justice. It's about giving every child, regardless of circumstance, a fair shot at success. The path forward will require collaboration—between government agencies, schools, higher education institutions, and civil society.

The bell has rung again. This time, let’s make sure every student can answer it—prepared, supported, and ready to learn.

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