Private school groups back DepEd reforms, 2026 budget at PhilEd conference

Major private school associations expressed support for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) reform initiatives and its proposed P1.044-trillion budget for 2026, as more than 3,500 educators and administrators gathered for the Philippine Education Conference (PhilEd) 2025 on Wednesday.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara acknowledged the joint statement issued by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAPSCU), Unified TVET of the Philippines (UniTVET), Federation of Associations of Private School Administrators (FAPSA), and the National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines (NAPSPHIL).

In their message, the groups commended “the DepEd leadership and team for its work in advancing key reforms,” describing the Senate-approved budget for 2026 as a “landmark investment in the future of Filipino learners.”

Angara said the private sector remains essential in supporting national education programs, including teacher preparation and student subsidy mechanisms.

“Kung gusto nating mas mapabilis ang pag-asenso ng ating mga bata, kailangan natin ang lakas ng private schools, mula sa teacher training hanggang sa pagpapatakbo ng ating voucher programs. Katuwang namin kayo sa paghatid ng kalidad na edukasyon saanmang panig ng bansa,” Angara said.

(If we want our children to progress more quickly, we need the strength of private schools—from teacher training to implementing our voucher programs. You are our partners in delivering quality education across the country.) 

DepEd said the issues raised by private institutions align with the department’s priorities, including stabilizing the education ecosystem and ensuring learning pathways and subsidies remain accessible to students in both public and private schools.

The proposed 2026 budget increases allocations for the Education Service Contracting (ESC) program and the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP), which are expected to support more than 2.5 million learners next year. DepEd has also raised the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) to P24,000 and has partnered with PEAC on in-service training programs for private school teachers and administrators.

Angara also cited DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2024, which formalizes the public–private complementarity framework that outlines how both sectors coordinate on curriculum, classroom capacity, and shared resources. 

DepEd is likewise exploring the temporary leasing of unused private school campuses to address classroom shortages in areas with high demand.

The PhilEd Conference, organized by PEAC, is among the country’s largest biennial education gatherings and serves as a venue for aligning policy priorities and sector-wide initiatives.

In his remarks, Angara also said private sector participation remains critical to sustaining long-term reforms.

“Ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat: hindi namin kayang itaguyod ang reporma nang mag-isa,” he said. “Kapag matatag ang pribadong sektor, mas malakas ang buong sistema ng edukasyon.”

(Most importantly, we cannot carry out reforms alone. When the private sector is strong, the entire education system becomes stronger.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News