MANILA (August 4) – The Department of Education (DepEd) has raised the annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) for qualified private-school teachers from PHP 18,000 to PHP 24,000, effective School Year 2025-2026. The increase was approved ad referendum by the State Assistance Council (SAC), which oversees the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara formalized the adjustment during a ceremonial signing in Makati City, noting that it advances President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for equity and quality in education, reiterated in his fourth SONA. Angara said the move helps narrow the pay gap between private- and public-school teachers and strengthens partnerships among the national government, LGUs, and education stakeholders.
TSS, created under the Expanded GASTPE Act (RA 8545), supports full-time licensed teachers in schools participating in the Education Service Contracting scheme who teach ESC grantees for at least three hours weekly. DepEd added that the hike complements ongoing reforms to boost teacher welfare, provide digital teaching tools, and reduce administrative workloads.
