DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman has approved the creation of 16,000 new teaching positions in public schools for School Year 2025–2026. This move aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bolster the education sector and ensure adequate staffing across the country’s public schools.
The 16,000 new teaching positions form the first tranche of the 20,000 positions targeted for creation this year.
“The DBM’s approval of the 16,000 new teaching positions is in adherence to our President’s directive to strengthen our 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,” DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman said.
The approved new positions include:
-15,343 Teacher I posts (Salary Grade 11)
-157 Special Science Teachers (Salary Grade 13)
-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’re 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. 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,” Secretary Pangandaman said.
The P4.194 billion needed to fund the new items will come from DepEd’s built-in appropriations under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, specifically earmarked for hiring new school personnel.
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, DepEd reported. This figure includes students from public and private schools, as well as those in the Alternative Learning System.
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