DepEd Accelerates Hiring to Address Teacher Shortages, Nears 2025 Targets

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is accelerating its workforce expansion to ease teacher shortages and strengthen classroom instruction nationwide. According to a DepEd statement issued on Wednesday, hiring and promotions have started for newly approved school-based plantilla positions this year as the department is nearing its 2025 targets for teachers and administrative personnel. So far, DepEd has filled 19,320 of the 20,000 Teacher I positions authorized under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, representing 96.60 percent of the total allocation. “Every teacher we hire is an investment in better learning outcomes for our children. We are committed to filling these positions as quickly and transparently as possible while ensuring that our schools have the people they need to deliver quality education,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara, noting that the move is a priority of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. For newly appointed Teacher I Lorely R. Dizon of Arturo Arce Ignacio Integrated School in Calapan City, joining DepEd marked the fulfillment of a long-held aspiration to serve learners in the public school system. Before her appointment in March 2026, she worked as an administrative aide at Mindoro State University and later served as a substitute teacher in several public schools in Calapan City. DepEd has likewise filled 9,937 of the 10,000 Administrative Officer II positions created in 2025, or 99.37 percent of the target, significantly expanding administrative support in public schools and allowing teachers to devote more time to instruction. Administrative Officer II Marie S. Carvajal of Bulusan Elementary School in Calapan City said the additional non-teaching personnel have strengthened school operations while creating opportunities for career growth. According to DepEd, the hiring and deployment of 32,916 new Teacher I positions authorized under the fiscal year 2026 budget is ongoing, further expanding the country’s teaching workforce. The 2026 workforce expansion also includes the creation of 6,000 School Principal I positions, 11,268 Administrative Officer II positions, and 5,000 Project Development Officer I positions to strengthen school leadership, administrative support, and program implementation. A total of 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions have been approved for creation following the approval of the qualification standards by the Civil Service Commission. Apart from hiring, DepEd has promoted 81,929 personnel under the Expanded Career Progression System, including 79,580 teachers and 2,349 school heads. Meanwhile, DepEd has trained 607,574 teaching and teaching-related personnel nationwide and streamlined its Performance Management and Evaluation System by reducing documentation requirements under the Results-Based Performance Management System, allowing teachers to devote more time to classroom instruction. /atm