THE Philippine government will open a total of 20,000 teaching positions this year as part of the country’s efforts to strengthen the Philippine education system, the Presidential Palace said on Monday.
“This move is in line with the president’s directive to strengthen the education system,” Palace Press Office Clarissa A. Castro said in Filipino during a briefing in Malacañang. “The 16,000 teaching positions [earlier announced] are only the first part.”
She noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., heeded the suggestion of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara to build child development centers.
“The President immediately asked that the funds be released for that purpose,” Ms. Castro said.
According to Ms. Castro, the budget has been allocated, amounting to P4.19 billion, included in the Department of Education’s built-in appropriation under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
“We’ll have to see what additional projects will be implemented under this funding, but we are also hoping to see the construction of more classrooms in time for the upcoming school year.”
The school year 2025-2026 in the Philippines will officially begin on June 16, and end on March 31, 2026. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
