Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Tutors Under the ARAL Program. - The following may be tutors under the ARAL Program:

(a) Teachers and para-teachers: Provided, That teachers shall not be tutors of their own learners; and

(b) Pre-service teachers as defined under Republic Act No. 11713 or the "Excellence in Teacher Education Act".

For purposes of this Act, teachers refer to all persons engaged in teaching at the elementary and secondary levels, whether on full-time or part-time basis. Para-teachers are those who have taken the Licensure Examination for Teachers but were unable to qualify, and have been issued by the Board for Professional Teachers a special permit indicating their area of assignment. Pre-service teachers refer to students enrolled in a teacher education degree program offered by Teacher Education Institutions. Except for teachers under paragraph (a) of this section, the tutors under the ARAL Program shall not be considered practicing the profession of teaching under Republic Act No. 7836 or the "Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994".

The DepEd may engage as tutors other individuals deemed qualified, competent, and of good character based on conditions stated under the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act.