DepEd targets 2.4M private school subsidy beneficiaries for SY 2026-2027

The Department of Education (DepEd) said more than 2.4 million students are expected to benefit from government subsidies for private education in School Year 2026-2027, as the agency expands assistance for low-income learners enrolled in private schools.

In a statement issued Friday, the DepEd said around 990,000 junior high school students will be covered under the Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program, while about 1.47 million senior high school students are set to receive aid through the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP).

The subsidies fall under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) program, which provides financial support to students in private schools and salary assistance to teachers.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the program is meant to help families cope with the cost of schooling while easing congestion in public schools.

“Hindi dapat tumigil ang pag-aaral ng isang bata dahil lang sa kakulangan sa pera. Ang tulong ng pamahalaan ay dapat makarating sa mga pamilyang pinaka nangangailangan. These subsidies are meant to keep children in school,” he added. (A child’s education should not stop simply because of lack of money. Government assistance must reach the families who need it most.)

DepEd said it has also issued revised guidelines for E-GASTPE, consolidating the implementation of the ESC, SHS-VP, and Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) under one framework.

Under the revised policy, the department said priority will be given to learners from disadvantaged sectors, including low-income households, Indigenous Peoples communities, and geographically isolated areas.

The Education Department said the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy remains part of the program, with support for eligible private school teachers increased from P18,000 to P24,000.

The agency said the revised policy also introduces stricter screening and monitoring to ensure subsidies are directed to learners most at risk of dropping out.

The DepEd said the updated guidelines, contained in DepEd Order No. 11, s. 2026, will take effect in School Year 2026-202. — RSJ, GMA News