Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has approved the creation of 16,000 new teaching positions in public schools for 2025 to 2026, with a total budget of ₱4.2 billion, to strengthen the education sector and ensure sufficient manpower.
DBM approves 16,000 new teaching posts with ₱4.2 billion budget
By Derco Rosal
The 16,000 new teaching positions form the first tranche of the 20,000 positions targeted for creation this year.
Pangandaman said the DBM approved new teaching positions in line with the president’s directive to improve the country’s education system.
The approved positions include 15,343 Teacher I posts with Salary Grade 11, 157 Special Science Teachers with Salary Grade 13, and 500 Special Education (SPED) Teachers with Salary Grade 14.
The ₱4.2 billion required for the new teaching positions will be sourced from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) existing budget under the 2025 national budget, which is designated for hiring additional school staff.
She added that the move also supports the DepEd’s efforts to expand the teaching workforce across kindergarten, elementary, junior high school, senior high school, and the alternative learning system (ALS).
To allow greater flexibility, the senior high school teaching positions will be created at the division level, enabling school division superintendents to transfer or reassign them based on need.
“This arrangement, previously approved by DBM in 2016, helps prevent duplication and ensures efficient deployment,” the DBM said in a May 18 statement.
“The DBM supports the government’s prioritization of our teachers’ welfare. We want to ensure that every child has a teacher who can focus on and support their learning. We are serious about our goal to improve the quality of education in the country,” Pangandaman said.
As stated in existing policies and in line with the election ban from March 28 to May 11, the release of appointments and Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) will take 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,” the agency said.
For 2024 to 2025, more than 27 million students have enrolled in elementary and high schools across the country, according to DepEd. This total includes learners from both public and private schools, as well as those in ALS.