Manila, Philippines — To transform the lives of thousands of educators, the Department of Education (DepEd) has approved a sweeping salary increase for private school teachers nationwide, marking a long-awaited victory for the sector. Starting this 2025-2026 school year, eligible teachers will see their monthly pay rise from ₱18,000 to ₱24,000 under the enhanced Teacher’s Salary Subsidy (TSS) program—a bold step toward bridging the gap between public and private educator compensation.
- Donald Trump Urges Ukraine to Make a Deal with Russia
- Second richest woman in the world, the $95 Billion Heiress You’ve Never Heard Of
- Hustisya sa Batang Babae, Natagpuang Patay sa Baybayin
- NBI Director Jaime Santiago Files Irrevocable Resignation Amid Allegations
- Rising Australian Surfer Jackson Graham Dies at Young Age of 22
Why This Matters: Equity, Quality, and Hope
The TSS, a cornerstone of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program, targets full-time licensed teachers in private schools participating in the Education Service Contracting (ESC) scheme. For years, private school teachers have faced stagnant wages despite heavy workloads, with many earning less than half the salary of their public-school counterparts.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the urgency of the reform: “Equitable compensation isn’t just about fairness—it’s about safeguarding the quality of education. When teachers struggle to make ends meet, our students suffer. This increase is an investment in our nation’s future.”
How the Subsidy Works
The TSS will supplement teachers’ existing salaries, requiring them to dedicate at least three hours weekly to ESC-related duties, such as mentoring students from low-income families enrolled in the voucher program. The subsidy aims to:
- 📈 Retain talent in private schools, which educate over 40% of Philippine students.
- 🏫 Strengthen partnerships between public and private institutions under GASTPE’s mandate.
- 💡 Boost morale and reduce financial stress for educators, many of whom take second jobs to survive.
Teachers React: “A Dream Come True”