DepEd asks for P976-billion budget for 2027

DEPED. The Department of Education headquarters in Pasig City. Angie de Silva/Rappler The proposed Department of Education budget is 13.55% of the P7.2-trillion national budget that the Marcos administration is seeking for 2027 MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) is requesting a budget of P976 billion for next year, according to the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). The proposed budget for the DepEd or basic education is 13.55% of the total P7.2-trillion spending plan — the largest allocation. Separately, the government is seeking P176.5 billion for higher education, which includes the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and state universities and colleges, as well as P21.2 billion for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Under the Constitution, the education sector must have the biggest budget. The proposed 2027 DepEd budget is broken down into P973.4 billion for the Office of the Secretary and over P2.5 billion for its attached agencies. While the amount is around 5% higher than the level under the 2026 NEP, the education department received over P1 trillion under this year’s General Appropriations Act. The bump in the DepEd’s budget became possible as the Marcos administration scrapped funding for flood control projects in 2026, realigning the money to various sectors, including education. Here are the proposed allocations for some of the DepEd programs under the 2027 NEP: Government Assistance and Subsidies (including Educational Service Contracting Program, Senior High School Voucher Program, and Joint Delivery Voucher Program) – P38.12 billion New School Personnel Positions – P31.74 billion Basic Education Facilities Fund – P30.55 billion School-Based Feeding Program – P11.43 billion Textbooks and Other Instructional Materials – P6.47 billion Computerization Program – P5.79 billion Inclusive Education Program – P5.36 billion Congressional deliberations will determine the DepEd’s actual budget as lawmakers will weigh in on sectoral issues or programs that need to be addressed next year. One of the matters expected to be tackled in the deliberations is the status of classroom construction, following the DepEd’s moves to partner with local government units and the private sector. These moves are part of efforts to reduce reliance on the scandal-plagued public works department. Another expected issue is school safety after the June 22 school shooting in Tacloban City and other recent incidents of violence involving students. Education Secretary Sonny Angara previously said the DepEd would be requesting additional funds to hire more security guards and buy more metal detectors to prevent violence inside campuses. The implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning or ARAL Program may also be scrutinized, especially the unresolved issue of whether or not the DepEd should provide compensation to public school teachers tapped to serve as tutors regardless of teaching load. Meanwhile, budget watchdogs will be monitoring if the Marcos administration would meet UNESCO’s recommended education spending benchmark of at least 4% of the country’s gross domestic product. The House appropriations committee is expected hold its budget deliberations for the DepEd on September 7. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading