The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Sunday that the annual stipend for private school teachers would be increased to P24,000 beginning this school year as part of the Government Assistance to Students and instructors in Private Education (GASTPE) program.
DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara earlier signed the order, which adjusts the annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) by 33-percent for qualified private school teachers under GASTPE.
He said the annual subsidy of P6,000 per teacher will take effect this School Year 2025-2026, following an ad referendum approval by the State Assistance Council—the policy-making body that oversees GASTPE—last July 31, 2025.
During the recent ceremonial signing, Angara emphasized the critical role of private educators in the country’s learning ecosystem.
“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 in a news release Sunday.
The increase is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he reiterated his administration’s push for equity and quality in education.
The move seeks to support and recognize the vital contributions of private school teachers in the country’s education system.
According to Angara, the message of President Marcos’ most recent SONA was unmistakable: education is his top priority.
“And we have always adhered to the idea that education is a shared mission,” he added.
Angara emphasized that fair and equitable compensation should be the first step in leveling the playing field between teachers in public and private schools.
He pointed out that private and public school teachers continue to have different working conditions.
It supports full-time licensed teachers employed by private schools participating in the Education Service Contracting (ESC) scheme, provided they teach ESC grantees for at least three hours per week.
Angara said 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,” he added.
