Great News for Teachers and Schools
In 2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines will get its biggest budget ever. This budget will help improve schools, support students, and take care of teachers.
One of the most exciting parts? About 100,000 public school teachers will be promoted. This means better pay, better jobs, and more respect for teachers who have waited many years for this.
What’s in the Budget?
The total budget for DepEd in 2026 is PhP 1.015 trillion. This is the highest it has ever been. The money will be used for many things:
- Promoting 100,000 public school teachers
- Hiring 65,100 new teachers and staff
- Feeding more students at school
- Helping students who are behind in class
- Building 24,000 new classrooms
Secretary Sonny Angara, the head of DepEd, said this is a very important change. He thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congress for supporting education.
Why Teacher Promotion Is a Big Deal
Many teachers have not been promoted for years. Some have worked for 10 years or more with no change in rank or salary. This made some teachers feel sad or even leave the job.
With the 2026 budget, DepEd can finally promote about 100,000 teachers.
What Happens When Teachers Are Promoted?
- Their salary increases
- They feel more respected
- They may get better job roles
- They feel more motivated
Angara said this will help teachers stay in their jobs and feel more appreciated by the government.
65,100 New Teaching and Non-Teaching Jobs
The budget also includes money to hire 65,100 new workers. This includes:
- Teachers
- School staff (non-teaching)
These new workers are needed because some schools have too few teachers or not enough staff to help students. With more people working in schools, students can get better help and support.
Help for Students: Free Food and Tutorials
The 2026 budget also focuses on helping students who need extra support.
School-Based Feeding Program
This program gives free meals to students in need. It helps students stay healthy and ready to learn.
- 2025 Budget: PhP 3 billion
- 2026 Budget: PhP 25 billion
That means more students will get food in school this year.
ARAL Program: Free Tutorials for Struggling Students
Another program called ARAL helps students who are behind in school. It gives free help in subjects like:
- Math
- Science
- Reading
This year, the program gets PhP 9 billion so every school can have tutors to help students learn better.
24,000 New Classrooms for Schools
Before, DepEd planned to build 5,000 to 6,000 classrooms. But now, with the 2026 budget, they will build 24,000 classrooms.
How Will They Build So Many?
In the past, only the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) built classrooms. But now:
- DepEd can build classrooms
- Local government units (LGUs) can help too
This means classrooms can be built faster and in more places, especially where they are badly needed.
Why This Is Good for Everyone
This budget helps both teachers and students. Here’s a quick look at what changes:
| What Changed | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 100,000 teacher promotions | Teachers feel respected and stay longer |
| 65,100 new hires | More help for students and schools |
| More food for students | Kids stay healthy and learn better |
| Free tutorials | Students can catch up in class |
| 24,000 classrooms | Less crowding and better learning spaces |
What’s Next?
This budget is a big step forward, but the work is not over. These changes need to be done the right way.
- Teachers need training and support after promotion.
- New workers must be hired quickly and fairly.
- Funds must be used properly by schools and LGUs.
- Programs must really help students, not just sound good.
If these are done right, 2026 could be one of the best years for education in the Philippines.
