DepEd maps out 2026 reforms, staffing boost at national planning meet

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday laid down its reform priorities for 2026, focusing on system-wide improvements, staffing expansion, and learning recovery as it aligned its plans with recommendations from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).

During its National Planning Conference, DepEd officials discussed policy directions, strategic priorities, and implementation roadmaps anchored on the EDCOM II Final Report, with Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscoring the need for disciplined, impact-driven spending.

“Para sa taong ito, kinakailangan nating ilatag ang ating mga prayoridad upang masigurong bawat sentimo sa ating 2026 budget ay magagamit nang wasto. We owe it to our teachers and learners to deliver the highest quality education possible,” Angara said.

(For this year, we need to clearly set our priorities to ensure that every peso in our 2026 budget is used properly. We owe it to our teachers and learners to deliver the highest quality education possible.)

Learning system overhaul

DepEd emphasized strengthening the country’s learning system through closer integration of curriculum, teaching and learning processes, assessment, learning materials, teacher training, and alternative learning delivery modes.

For 2026, the department will prioritize the review and consolidation of Special Curricular Programs while continuing the rollout of the strengthened Senior High School (SHS) curriculum. This includes expanding Grade 12 elective offerings and providing clearer post–K to 12 pathways for learners through the National Entrepreneurship Challenge.

The agency also reported that most textbooks for the next school year have already been procured and are expected to be delivered by June, in time for the opening of classes. These materials will support the full implementation of the strengthened SHS program across public schools nationwide.

Staffing expansion, promotions

A major focus of the conference was school-based staffing, with DepEd targeting the filling of 32,916 new teaching positions. The planned hires also include 6,000 Principal I items, 11,268 Administrative Officer II items, 5,000 Project Development Officer I items, and 10,000 School Counselor Associate I items.

More than 100,000 teachers are also set to receive what the department described as “long overdue” promotions under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.

Human resource reforms will shift toward what DepEd called transformational workforce development, including the use of artificial intelligence–powered platforms for workforce planning, school head applicant assessment, human resource deployment, and the streamlining of school forms. These efforts are part of the department’s broader push to integrate technology into basic education.

Learning recovery, school support

To uphold its learner-centered mandate, DepEd said it will intensify learning recovery and continuity measures to address learning losses linked to natural disasters, classroom congestion, malnutrition, absenteeism, and bullying.

The department also highlighted the increase in funding for schools’ Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which will rise from P48 billion in 2025 to P60 billion in 2026, aimed at better supporting school heads, teachers, and personnel in implementing programs on the ground. The DepEd has been granted a P1.015-trillion budget for 2026, the largest allocation in its history.

“Sa tulong ng pondong ipinagkaloob sa atin ng ating mahal na Pangulo, President Bongbong Marcos, at ng Kongreso, patuloy nating isusulong ang mahahalagang reporma sa edukasyon—para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” Angara said.

(With the help of the funds granted to us by our beloved President, President Bongbong Marcos, and Congress, we will continue to push forward vital education reforms—for a New Philippines.)

Data-driven reforms

The National Planning Conference was attended by officials from DepEd’s central and field offices nationwide and focused on detailed discussions of the agency’s Five-Point Reform Agenda and the Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP).

DepEd stressed that reforms moving forward must be coherent, data-driven, and resilient to ensure alignment across policy, planning, and execution. —KG, GMA Integrated News