IN line with the President’s directive to strengthen the education sector and ensure adequate staffing in public schools, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the creation of 16,000 new teaching positions in public schools for school year 2025–2026.
In a statement yesterday, the DBM said the P4.194 billion needed to fund the new items will come from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) built-in appropriations under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, which is earmarked for hiring new school personnel.
The DBM said 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 DepEd’s efforts to boost the teaching workforce across Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School and the Alternative Learning System,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
The approved new positions include 15,343 Teacher I posts, 157 Special Science Teachers and 500 Special Education Teachers.
As provided under existing policies and in accordance with the election ban from March 28 to May 11, 2025, the DBM said the release of appointments and Notices of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action (NOSCA) takes effect only after the election period.
The agency said its regional offices will coordinate closely with DepEd for the issuance of NOSCAs and the release of funds.
For school year 2024-2025, over 27.012 million students enrolled in elementary and high schools nationwide, DepEd reported.
The figure includes students from public and private schools, as well as those in the Alternative Learning System.
