DepEd raises funding for public school learners this year
(Department of Education photo)
To help address rising operational costs and improve school operations, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced it is increasing per-learner funding for public schools under the 2026 budget.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the increase in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) covers higher per-learner allocations across all school levels.
For elementary schools, per-learner MOOE rose to P2,792, from P2,140 in 2025 and P1,389 in 2024.
Junior high school learners will receive P2,631 each, up from P2,201 in 2025 and P1,844 in 2024.
Senior high school funding increased to P3,264 per learner, from P2,784 in 2025 and P2,306 in 2024.
“Ang malaking dagdag-pondo na ito ay malinaw na mensahe ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na prayoridad natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga paaralan at ang pagbibigay ng sapat na resources para sa ating mga mag-aaral (This significant increase in funding is a clear message from President Bongbong Marcos that we prioritize the welfare of our schools and the provision of sufficient resources for our learners),” Angara said on Monday, April 13.
“Sa pagbuhos natin ng pondo diretso sa ating mga eskwelahan, tinitiyak natin na may sapat na kagamitan at suporta ang ating mga guro at mag-aaral para magtagumpay at makamit ang kanilang buong potensyal (By directly channeling funds to our schools, we ensure that teachers and students have enough equipment and support to succeed and reach their full potential),” he added.
DepEd said the adjustment in allocations will continue through 2027, with proposed per-learner funding reaching P2,982 for elementary, P2,744 for junior high school, and P3,558 for senior high school.
The department is also replacing its previous budgeting system, which used a fixed formula based on inputs such as student population, number of teachers, classrooms, and graduates.
It will be replaced by the Simplified Normative Funding Formula (SNFF), which uses enrollment data and basic school information to determine the minimum budget needed for schools to meet service standards.
DepEd said the new system is designed to make fund distribution faster and more responsive to the actual needs of schools, shifting away from a rigid per-capita approach.
The agency said the funding increase and budgeting reform form part of its long-term effort to ensure that public schools nationwide are better equipped and able to deliver quality learning services.