As part of the continuing expansion of the Department of Education (DepEd) workforce, the hiring and promotions for newly approved school-based plantilla positions this year have resumed.
According to the department, headed by Secretary Sonny Angara, it has already filled 19,320 of the 20,000 Teacher I positions allocated under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, or 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,” Angara said.
Meanwhile, the DepEd has also filled 9,937 of the 10,000 Administrative Officer II positions created in 2025, or 99.37 percent of the target.
Following the almost complete filling of the positions allocated in 2025, which was the originally set target date, the DepEd continues to hire and deploy 32,916 new Teacher I positions approved under the fiscal year 2026 budget to further expand the country’s teacher pool.
In 2026, that 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.
As previously reported, the DepEd has also created 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions, which has been greenlit after the Civil Service Commission’s approved the qualification standards by the Civil Service Commission.
DepEd field offices are already told to begin hiring and appointments upon receipt of the Notice of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) from the Department of Budget and Management.
In tandem with that, DepEd also promoted 81,929 personnel under the Expanded Career Progression System, including 79,580 teachers and 2,349 school heads.
Meanwhile, a total of 607,574 teaching and teaching-related personnel nationwide have undergone various professional development programs.
Moreover, it has sincet simplified the Performance Management and Evaluation System by reducing documentary requirements under the Results-Based Performance Management System — reducing administrative burden of teachers.
GAS-TUKLAS
Meanwhile, Angara also released this week the guidelines for the pilot implementation of the Government Assistance and Subsidies-Training and Upgrading Knowledge for Learners, Teachers, and Achievers in Schools (GAS-TUKLAS) Program for School Year (SY) 2026–2027.
The program aims to provide targeted financial assistance to qualified students and teacher-coaches who will participate in Department of Education (DepEd)-endorsed or DepEd-acknowledged national and international competitions.
GAS-TUKLAS covers students in public and private elementary and secondary schools, students in DepEd-recognized Alternative Learning System learning delivery modalities, and officially designated teacher-coaches who directly provide coaching and training.
A total of PHP100.8 million has been allocated for the program under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, with priority to be given to students and teacher-coaches from low-income households.
The program will support participation in individual and team competitions, including in academic, sports, creative and cultural, and other related interdisciplinary fields.
Subject to approval, availability of sufficient funds, and prevailing government policies, assistance may cover registration fees, training and preparation expenses, travel expenses, and boarding and lodging.
The actual amount of assistance approved will also be based on allowable expenses, competition requirements, availability of sufficient funds, and prevailing government policies.
“Through GAS-TUKLAS, we aim to reduce the burden on our learners and teacher-coaches so that they can focus on improving and bringing honor to the country,” Angara said.
Applications are open throughout SY 2026–2027. Students and teacher-coaches must submit the required documents to their School Heads at least 45 working days prior to the competition.
These will then be reviewed and endorse by the school, Schools Division Office, and Regional Office before final validation and approval or disapproval by the DepEd Central Office through the Government Assistance and Subsidies Service (GASS).
The list of DepEd-endorsed or DepEd-acknowledged competitions will be published and periodically updated on the official DepEd website, with those not on the published list may be submitted to GASS for review.
In the pilot implementation, DepEd will gather implementation data, policy insights, and operational evidence that will serve as the basis for policy refinement and subsequent decisions regarding the possible expansion of GAS-TUKLAS as a national support mechanism for students and teacher-coaches in all regions.
