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 May 18.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to strengthen the country’s education system.
“This move is also in support of the Department of Education’s 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, with salary grade (SG) 11; 157 Special Science Teachers (SG 13); and 500 Special Education (SPED) Teachers (SG 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, approved by the DBM in 2016, helps prevent duplication and ensures efficient deployment.
“The DBM supports the government’s prioritization of the welfare of our teachers,” Pangandaman said. “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 P4.194 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, the DBM said.
As per existing policies and in accordance with the election ban from March 28 to May 11, 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 ALS.
SY 2025-2026 will start on June 16. ||
