DepEd proposes zero budget for new teachers in 2027

The Department of Education (DepEd) has proposed a zero budget for the hiring of new teachers in its 2027 fiscal year budget. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara told the House Committee on Appropriations that for next year, "the shortage is 14,274 teachers, costing around P4.29 billion." But Angara explained that DepEd will be hiring new teachers this year, more than the usual number. "We got 32,000 this year, which is above the average hiring, your honor, I think, which averages around 20,000," he said. The promotion of qualified teachers is also facing a backlog. "For 2026, there is a P6 billion budget given by Congress, and this is enough to promote 82,000 of our teachers and school heads. In 2027, there is a P12 billion budget, and this should answer for the promotions of 135,000 school heads," the Education chief said. However, he added that "there are about 100,000 still waiting and entitled to the promotions" who are still waiting for available funding. House Committee on Appropriations head Rep. Mikaela Suansing gave the DepEd until Wednesday to submit a streamlined and rationalized "reprioritized list." Other personnel needsAside from the additional teachers, DepEd’s proposed 2027 budget in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) includes ₱801.5 million for the hiring of 1,800 school counselor associates and 221 schools division office counselors.The department said its broader supplemental personnel request is intended to provide teachers with additional support so they can focus on teaching.On Monday, DepEd presented a proposed P975.96-billion budget for fiscal year 2027, including allocations for its attached agencies, before the House panel, according to the department’s press release. The department is seeking an additional P145.19 billion for critical programs not funded under the 2027 NEP. Under the proposed NEP allocation, Personnel Services would rise 8.64% to P766.74 billion, while Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) would decline 15.94% to P174.32 billion and Capital Outlay would fall 67.49% to P32.34 billion. —With Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA News