DepEd approves P24,000 annual subsidy for private school teachers

The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved a P6,000 increase in the annual salary subsidy for private school teachers covered by the government’s education assistance program.

Starting School Year 2025–2026, eligible private school teachers will receive P24,000 annually under the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) component of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program, up from the current P18,000. 

The raise was approved via an ad referendum by the State Assistance Council, the body that oversees GASTPE policy.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara formally announced the increase during a ceremonial signing event on Thursday, where he emphasized the government’s recognition of private educators as critical partners in the broader education sector.

“Sa mga tumutok sa ika-apat na State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr., malinaw na nakita natin—nasa rurok ng kanyang mga prayoridad ang edukasyon,” said Angara. 

(For those who followed President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address, it was clear—education is at the top of his priorities.)

“And we have always stood by the principle that education is a collective mission.”

Angara noted that while there is still a significant disparity between the working conditions and compensation of teachers in public and private schools, the increase signals a strong step toward narrowing that gap.

The GASTPE program was established under Republic Act No. 8545 or the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act. While best known for its Education Service Contracting (ESC) scheme that subsidizes tuition fees of junior high school students in private schools, the program also provides salary support to teachers assigned to teach these grantees.

To qualify for the TSS, teachers must be licensed, employed full-time in a participating private school, and must handle ESC classes for at least three hours per week. 

DepEd said these criteria ensure the subsidy goes to teachers directly contributing to the delivery of basic education under the government’s assistance mechanisms.

Angara also reiterated DepEd’s commitment to working with local government units, private schools, and development partners in pursuing reforms to make basic education more accessible and inclusive.

The subsidy hike aligns with several education reform priorities mentioned in Marcos’ recent State of the Nation Address, including boosting teacher welfare, investing in digital tools for classrooms, and reducing the administrative workload on teachers.

DepEd said the increase in the subsidy has been included in its proposed 2026 budget. —VAL, GMA Integrated News