PASIG CITY, Metro Manila — The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced the long-awaited promotion of thousands of teachers under the agency's new career progression system aimed giving recognition to the teaching profession.

In an official statement, education secretary Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara clarified that the order for promotion is part of the sweeping reforms that target to recognize the vital role of educators while easing the burdens that have affected their morale and productivity.

“We began by operationalizing (our) expanded career progression system (so we expect) there are thousands who will be promoted this year,” Angara disclosed at the recent launch of the Quality Basic Education Plan (QBEdP) 2025–2035.

In addition, the education chief cited that the new career progression system is accompanied by several teacher-focused measures, including the doubling of the teaching supplies allowance, increase in salary subsidies even for private school teachers and creation of new teaching positions.

To date 97 percent of of the over 21,000 new teaching positions funded last year have already been filled while 99 percent of the 5,000 new administrative posts have also been taken.

"The career progression system introduces more flexible promotion tracks, allowing teachers to move up in rank based on classroom performance and subject expertise —not just through supervisory roles," Angara explained.

He likewise lauded President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. for highlighting teachers' welfare during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SoNA) last Monday, July 28, where the chief executive vowed to institutionalize reforms such as compensation for overtime work and teaching overload, alongside nationwide digitalization efforts in education.

“The President emphasized not only our duty to educate but also our duty to care for those who educate,” the secretary pointed out.

Meanwhile, DepEd has also taken steps to improve the working conditions of teachers. Including the introduction of new career levels, Teacher IV to VII, and the reclassification of more than 2,100 school heads to principal positions.

"These changes aim to strengthen leadership at the school level," Angara noted.

Aside from these, the teaching supplies allowance was doubled to ₱10,000 and a medical allowance for teachers has been introduced. For private school teachers, the annual salary subsidy is now ₱24,000, an increase of ₱6,000. The department also reported a reduction of more than 50 percent in paperwork requirements for public school teachers.

Moreover, DepEd is working with private sector partners to build 105,000 new classrooms to address the national backlog. Modular classrooms designed for disaster-hit areas are also expected to be deployed this August.

To improve connectivity in remote schools, the department is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Energy (DOE), and National Electrification Administration (NEA). A public-private project, PSIP Connect, is in the pipeline to deliver digital devices, solar panels, and internet access to last-mile schools.