DepEd to Hire 16,000 Teachers: President Marcos, DBM Approve New Positions

DepEd to Welcome 16,000 New Teachers Following Approval of Additional Positions by President Marcos and DBM

In a significant move to address the challenges of overcrowded classrooms and alleviate the workload of public school teachers nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) has announced the recruitment of 16,000 new teachers. This initiative comes after the approval of additional teaching positions by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The 16,000 new positions are part of a broader allocation of 20,000 teaching slots created under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). As the new school year approaches, DepEd had earlier requested the DBM to implement 80 percent of these slots to expedite the recruitment and deployment process.

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A Presidential Priority

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara expressed gratitude to President Marcos for prioritizing the welfare of teachers and students. “We thank President Marcos for his clear directive to prioritize our teachers and learners. This initiative directly responds to his call to reduce class sizes and ease the workload of teachers in schools,” Secretary Angara said.

He also lauded DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman for the swift and appropriate actions taken to implement the new teaching positions. “We also extend our thanks to Secretary Pangandaman and the DBM for promptly acting on our request. Their support ensures that our schools will be ready to welcome more teachers before classes start,” he added.

Addressing Specific Needs

The newly created positions aim to address the demand for specialized educators, particularly in kindergarten, elementary, and subject-specific areas in junior and senior high schools. This focus aligns with DepEd’s broader strategy to enhance educational outcomes by improving teacher-student ratios and class sizes.

Streamlined Recruitment and Deployment

To ensure the timely filling of these positions by the end of the third quarter, DepEd has directed its Schools Division Offices (SDOs) to commence publication, hiring, and appointment processes immediately upon receiving Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) from DBM regional offices.

Recruitment and assessment of applicants began as early as January 2025, with divisions handling large applicant pools starting acceptance procedures in October 2024. This proactive approach is expected to streamline the hiring process, ensuring that new teachers are in place as classes begin.

A Comprehensive Approach to Education Reform

In addition to addressing teacher shortages, the initiative also supports President Marcos’ directive to reduce non-teaching responsibilities for educators. The DBM’s release of NOSCAs for 10,000 Administrative Officer II (AO II) positions marks a significant step toward enhancing administrative efficiency in schools. By delegating administrative tasks to non-teaching personnel, DepEd aims to allow teachers to focus more on classroom instruction.

Secretary Angara urged regional and division offices to expedite the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of timely deployment to ensure a seamless and effective start to the school year. “The timely deployment of newly hired teachers is crucial to maintaining the momentum of effective classroom learning,” he said.

Guidance for Applicants

Teacher applicants listed in the new Registry of Qualified Applicants (RQA) for the 2025-2026 academic year are encouraged to coordinate with their local SDOs for updates on filling these positions. This initiative underscores DepEd’s commitment to prioritizing the needs of educators and learners in its ongoing education reforms.

As DepEd continues to monitor the implementation and hiring progress across all regions, this recruitment drive marks a pivotal step in addressing long-standing challenges in the education sector and paving the way for improved learning outcomes nationwide.