The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday announced that it has approved an increase in the annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) for eligible private school teachers, raising it from P18,000 to P24,000 starting School Year 2025-2026.
This decision follows the ad referendum approval by the State Assistance Council (SAC), the policymaking body overseeing the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.
The increase aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SoNA), where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to equity and quality in education.
During a ceremonial signing in Makati City, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the crucial roles of private school teachers in national development and the need to bridge the compensation gap between them and their public school counterparts.
“There is still a significant gap in the situation of our private school teachers compared to those in public schools. But today, we are taking a decisive step to narrow that gap and uplift the private education system alongside the public,” Angara said.
The TSS is a component of the GASTPE program, established under Republic Act 8545, also known as the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act.
It provides support to full-time licensed teachers employed by private schools participating in the Education Service Contracting scheme, provided they teach ESC grantees for at least three hours per week.
Angara disclosed that the increase reflects DepEd’s commitment to strengthen support for private education stakeholders and reinforce partnerships with local government units, development partners and the private sector.
“We are working together with the national government, local government units, development partners, and private education institutions in this effort,” said Angara. “That’s why we extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Marcos for his genuine and sincere concern for education and for every Filipino teacher.”
DepEd cited that this initiative also complements other SoNA-linked reforms, including improved teacher welfare, digitalization of teaching resources, and efforts to ease administrative burdens on educators.