To ease classroom congestion and improve learning conditions across public schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) will hire 16,000 new teachers by the third quarter of 2025.

In response to the directive of President Marcos and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara has called on all regional and division offices to expedite recruitment—emphasizing that the prompt deployment of new hires is vital for a seamless and successful school opening.

The additional teaching positions, DepEd said, are part of the 20,000 new items under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), 80 percent of which (16,000 items) were requested for early release by DepEd to expedite recruitment ahead of the new school year.

DepEd said it has instructed all Schools Division Offices (SDOs) to immediately begin the publication, hiring, and appointment process upon receipt of the Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) from DBM regional offices.

According to DepEd, recruitment and assessment in local SDOs began as early as January 2025, with some divisions authorized to initiate hiring calls in October 2024 due to high applicant volume.

These efforts aim to ensure the timely deployment of qualified teachers to public schools, especially in critical areas such as kindergarten, elementary, and specialized subjects in junior and senior high school.

Angara thanked President Marcos for his “firm instruction to prioritize our teachers and learners.”

“These new teaching items directly respond to his call to reduce class sizes and lighten the workload of our educators on the ground,” Angara said.

Angara also thanked DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman for the prompt release of the new items, noting that the swift action helps ensure schools are prepared to welcome new educators before classes resume.

In line with President Marcos’ directive to reduce non-teaching duties among teachers, the DBM has begun issuing NOSCAs for 10,000 Administrative Officer II (AO II) positions.

These non-teaching staff will support school operations, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction and less on paperwork.

DepEd emphasized that boosting the teaching workforce will help improve teacher-student ratios and manage class sizes—both of which are key to enhancing student learning outcomes.

The department said it will closely monitor the hiring process in each region to avoid delays in appointments and ensure schools open with adequate staffing.

Angara urged regional and division offices to act with urgency and efficiency, noting that the timely deployment of these new hires is critical to ensuring a smooth and effective school opening.

Teacher applicants included in the new Registry of Qualified Applicants (RQA) for SY 2025–2026 are advised to coordinate with their respective SDOs for updates on the hiring process and submission of requirements.