- DepEd approves increase in Teachers' Salary Subsidy (TSS) for qualified private school teachers from PHP 18,000 to PHP 24,000 starting SY 2025–2026.
- The move aligns with President Marcos Jr.'s SONA pledge to promote equity and quality in education and strengthen public-private education partnerships.
- DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between private and public school teacher salaries to uplift the entire education system.
DepEd has approved raising Teachers' Salary Subsidy (TSS) of qualified private school teachers from PHP 18,000 to PHP 24,000 starting School Year 2025-2026. This is in line with the ad referendum approval given by the State Assistance Council (SAC), DepEd's policymaking arm that manages the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.
The hike is consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), when he reaffirmed his government's drive for equity and quality in education.
During a ceremonial signing ceremony in Makati City, DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara emphasized the critical roles played by teachers in private schools in national development and how to close the gap between their salaries and those of their counterparts in public schools.
There is still a wide gap in the condition of our teachers in private schools compared to public school teachers. But today, we are making a bold move to close that gap and raise the private school system along with the public", Angara stated.
The TSS is one of the programs under GASTPE, which was established in accordance with Republic Act No. 8545 or the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act.
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It benefits full-time licensed teachers who are employed by private schools implementing the Education Service Contracting (ESC) scheme, as long as they teach ESC grantees at least for three hours a week.
Angara stated that the increase is a manifestation of DepEd's drive to enhance support to private education stakeholders and re-strengthen partnerships with local government units, development partners and the private sector.
"We are cooperating with the national government, local government units, development partners and private education institutions on this endeavor, which is why we extend our sincerest appreciation to President Marcos for his sincere and genuine interest in education and for all Filipino educators" , he added.
DepEd added the move also complements other SONA-related reforms such as better teacher welfare, digitalization of teaching materials and efforts to lighten the administrative load on teachers.
