Politics · Philippines Bureau
DepEd warns Congress budget cuts will block teacher hiring plans
The Department of Education says it cannot hire more than 14,000 new teachers in 2027 unless Congress approves its full funding request. The proposed budget represents a significant reduction from current allocations.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Department of Education will be unable to proceed with planned teacher recruitment next year if Congress does not restore its complete budget request, Education Secretary Sonny Angara warned on Monday.
The DepEd received an allocation of P973.40 billion in the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 National Expenditure Program, a reduction from its current P1.01-trillion budget. Angara stated that the shortfall would prevent the department from hiring the 14,000-plus teachers needed to address staffing gaps across Philippine schools.
The budget cut comes as the education sector continues to grapple with classroom overcrowding and insufficient personnel. The department's request for additional funds reflects efforts to improve teacher-to-student ratios and expand educational services nationwide.
Angara's call for budget restoration signals tensions between the DepEd's operational needs and broader government fiscal priorities as lawmakers prepare to finalize the 2027 budget. The education chief emphasized that without adequate funding, planned expansion of the teaching force would be impossible.