The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved an increase in the annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) for eligible private school teachers, raising it from P18,000 to P24,000 starting School Year 2025-2026.
The move follows the ad referendum approval of the State Assistance Council (SAC), the policymaking body overseeing the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.
The increase is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he reiterated his administration’s push for equity and quality in education.
“Sa mga tumutok sa ika-apat na State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr., malinaw na nakita natin—nasa rurok ng kanyang mga prayoridad ang edukasyon,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said.
“At mula’t sapul, pinaninindigan natin na ang edukasyon ay isang kolektibong misyon.”
“At mula’t sapul, pinaninindigan natin na ang edukasyon ay isang kolektibong misyon,” Angara added.
In a ceremonial signing held recently in Makati City, the education chief underscored the key roles of private school teachers in national development and the need to bridge the gap between their compensation and that of their public school counterparts.
“Malaki pa rin ang agwat ng kalagayan ng ating mga guro sa pribado kumpara sa pampublikong paaralan. Ngunit ngayon, nagsasagawa tayo ng isang kongkretong hakbang upang paliitin ang agwat na iyon at itaguyod ang pribadong edukasyon kasama ng pampubliko,” the education head stressed.
The TSS is a component of the GASTPE program, created under Republic Act No. 8545 or the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act.
It supports full-time licensed teachers employed by private schools participating in the Education Service Contracting (ESC) scheme, provided they teach ESC grantees for at least three hours per week.
Angara said the increase reflects DepEd’s commitment to strengthen support for private education stakeholders and reinforce partnerships with local government units, development partners and the private sector.
“Katuwang natin dito ang national government, mga LGU, development partners, at ang private education institutions.”
“Katuwang natin dito ang national government, mga LGU, development partners, at ang private education institutions,” he explained.
“Kaya’t taus-puso ang ating pasasalamat kay PBBM sa kanyang tunay at taos-pusong malasakit sa edukasyon at sa bawat Pilipinong guro,” Angara added.
DepEd said the initiative also complements other SONA-linked reforms, including improved teacher welfare, digitalization of teaching resources and efforts to ease administrative burdens on educators.
