THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the creation of some 16,000 new teaching positions in public schools for the upcoming School Year 2025–2026 to strengthen the education sector and ensure sufficient manpower in schools.
The 16,000 new teaching positions are the first tranche of the 20,000 positions targeted for creation this year, the DBM said in a statement Sunday.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen our country’s education system.
“This move is also in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) efforts to boost the teaching workforce across Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School, and the Alternative Learning System,” Pangandaman said.
The approved new positions include 15,343 Teacher I posts (Salary Grade 11); 157 Special Science Teachers (Salary Grade 13); and 500 Special Education (SPED) Teachers (Salary Grade 14).
For added flexibility, the Senior High School teaching positions will be created at the division level, allowing School Division Superintendents to transfer or reassign them to where they are most needed.
This arrangement, previously approved by DBM in 2016, helps prevent duplication and ensures efficient deployment.
“Suportado po ng DBM ang pagbibigay-prayoridad ng gobyerno sa kapakanan ng ating mga guro (The DBM supports the government’s prioritization of the welfare of our teachers),” the budget chief said.
“Gusto po nating siguraduhin na bawat bata ay may teacher na tututok at handang tumulong sa kanilang pag-aaral. Seryoso po tayo sa hangaring mapaganda ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa (We want to ensure that every child has a teacher who will focus on and be ready to help them in their studies. We are serious about improving the quality of education in the country).”
The PHP4.194 billion needed to fund the new positions will come from DepEd’s built-in appropriations under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, specifically earmarked for hiring new school personnel, according to the DBM.
As provided under existing policies and in accordance with the election ban from March 28 to May 11, 2025, the release of appointments and Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) takes effect only after the election period.
The DBM regional offices will coordinate closely with DepEd for the issuance of NOSCAs and the release of funds, which will cover only those teaching positions that have been successfully filled.
For SY 2024-2025, over 27.012 million students had enrolled in elementary and high schools nationwide, including students from public and private schools, as well as those in the Alternative Learning System. (Darryl John Esguerra)
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