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In line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Department of Education (DepEd) has approved a significant increase in the annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) for qualified private school teachers under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Program. 

From the current ₱18,000, the subsidy will increase to ₱24,000 per teacher annually starting School Year 2025–2026, following an ad referendum approval by the State Assistance Council (SAC), the policy-making body that oversees GASTPE. The move aims to support and recognize the essential contributions of private school teachers in the country’s education landscape. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, during the ceremonial signing held on Thursday, highlighted the importance of private educators in the broader mission of national development. 

“Sa mga tumutok sa ika-apat na State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr., malinaw na nakita natin—nasa rurok ng kanyang mga prayoridad ang edukasyon,” Angara said. “And we have always stood by the principle that education is a collective mission.” 

Angara emphasized the need to address disparities between public and private school teachers, particularly in terms of compensation. “Malaki pa rin ang agwat ng kalagayan ng ating mga guro sa pribado kumpara sa pampublikong paaralan. But today, we are taking a decisive step to narrow that gap and uplift the private education system alongside the public,” he said. 

The GASTPE Program, created through Republic Act No. 8545 or the “Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act,” provides financial support to students and teachers in private educational institutions. The Teachers’ Salary Subsidy component serves to augment the salaries of private school teachers, particularly in schools participating in the Education Service Contracting (ESC) scheme. 

To be eligible for the TSS, a teacher must be a licensed educator, employed full-time by a participating private school, and must be teaching ESC grantees for at least three hours a week. These minimum qualifications ensure that the subsidy is directed to teachers directly contributing to the academic success of students under the government’s assistance program. 

Angara also underscored the importance of continued partnerships with local government units, development partners, and private education stakeholders in fulfilling DepEd’s commitment to quality and accessible basic education. 

“Katuwang natin dito ang national government, mga LGU, development partners, at ang private education institutions,” he added. “Kaya’t taus-puso ang ating pasasalamat kay PBBM sa kanyang tunay at taos-pusong malasakit sa edukasyon at sa bawat Pilipinong guro.” 

The subsidy increase marks a concrete step in advancing the Marcos administration’s broader education reform agenda as articulated in the SONA—including improved teacher welfare, digital tools for educators, and lighter administrative workloads. 

*All Photos from DepEd