The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved an increase in the annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) for eligible private school teachers, raising it from PHP 18,000 to PHP 24,000 starting School Year 2025-2026.

The move follows the ad referendum approval of the State Assistance Council (SAC), the policymaking body overseeing the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.

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.

In a ceremonial signing held Thursday in Makati City, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the key roles of private school teachers in national development and the need to bridge the gap between their compensation and that of their public school counterparts.

“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 TSS is a component of the GASTPE program, created under Republic Act No. 8545 or the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act.

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.

“That’s why we extend our heartfelt gratitude to President Marcos for his genuine and sincere concern for education and for every Filipino teacher.”

DepEd said the initiative also complements other SONA-linked reforms, including improved teacher welfare, digitalization of teaching resources and efforts to ease administrative burdens on educators. (PNA)