30-07-2025
DepEd to raise private school teacher subsidy to P24,000 by 2026
The ESC program provides financial support to participating private schools to help them retain teachers and accommodate government-funded students under the Senior High School (SHS) voucher program. File photo
The Department of Education (DepEd) will increase the annual subsidy given to private school teachers under the government's Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program, raising it from P18,000 to P24,000 starting in 2026.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced the move during the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussions on Wednesday, noting that the increase is already reflected in DepEd's proposed 2026 budget.
'Matagal nang hiling ng private schools, at 'yan po ay magiging totoo na sa darating na 2026 budget,' Angara said.
(This has been a long-standing request of private schools, and it will become a reality in the 2026 budget.)
The ESC program, a component of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE), provides financial support to participating private schools to help them retain teachers and accommodate government-funded students under the Senior High School (SHS) voucher program.
With many private schools still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and student transfers to public schools, Angara said the government must help ensure their sustainability.
'Kailangan po natin ang tulong ng private schools. Kalahating milyon ang nag-aaral sa kanila—500,000—at binabayaran po natin 'yan. May savings pa po tayo dahil mas mura ang private school kaysa public kung minsan,' he said.
(We need the help of private schools. Around half a million students are enrolled there, and we fund that. Sometimes, it's even more cost-efficient than public schools.)
According to the latest COA report, the Department allocated over ?50 billion for voucher-related subsidies in 2023. The SHS voucher program allows qualified Grade 10 completers to enroll in private senior high schools with financial aid from the government.
However, the voucher program has faced scrutiny in recent months after audit findings revealed ?65 million worth of payments made to 'ghost students.' DepEd has since filed civil and criminal complaints and is working to clean its beneficiary database.
Angara emphasized that despite the issues, strengthening partnerships with private education providers remains essential in addressing classroom shortages, accommodating diverse learner needs, and improving the quality of education.
'If we are to meet our education targets, we must strengthen both our public and private sectors,' he added.
On Tuesday, Angara announced during the launch of the QBEDP 2025–2035 that thousands of public school teachers are set to receive long-awaited promotions this year. The initiative is accompanied by several teacher-focused measures, including the doubling of the teaching supplies allowance, an increase in salary subsidies even for private school teachers, and the creation of 20,000 new teaching positions. To reduce non-teaching workload, DepEd also hired 10,000 administrative officers.
Meanwhile, DepEd's new career system and support measures form part of the larger QBEDP 2025–2035, a ten-year roadmap designed to overhaul basic education in the Philippines and ensure that no teacher is overburdened and no learner is left behind. — BM, GMA Integrated News
