MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) will continue providing financial assistance to underprivileged students enrolled in private schools, targeting more than 2.4 million beneficiaries under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) program for School Year 2026–2027.

DepEd said nearly 990,000 junior high school students will be covered by the Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program, while about 1.47 million senior high school learners will benefit from the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP).

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative aims to help families manage education-related expenses while also reducing overcrowding in public schools.

“Prayoridad ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga pamilyang Pilipino pagdating sa matrikula at iba pang bayarin sa eskwelahan (President Bongbong Marcos’ priority is to ease the burden of Filipino families when it comes to tuition and other school fees),” Angara said, as quoted in a news release Friday.

“Hindi dapat tumigil ang pag-aaral ng isang bata dahil lang sa kakulangan sa pera. Ang tulong ng pamahalaan ay dapat makarating sa mga pamilyang pinaka-nangangailangan (A child’s education should not stop just because of lack of money. Government assistance should reach the families who need it most). These subsidies are meant to keep children in school,” he added.

The department has also issued updated guidelines for the E-GASTPE program, consolidating the implementation of ESC, SHS-VP, and the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) under a unified framework.

Under the revised rules, priority will be given to learners from disadvantaged sectors, including those from low-income households, Indigenous Peoples communities, and geographically isolated areas, who are more vulnerable to dropping out due to financial constraints.

DepEd said support for private school teachers remains part of the program, noting that the TSS has been increased from PHP18,000 to PHP24,000 to help sustain education delivery, particularly in institutions serving subsidized students.

Angara said the reforms address ongoing challenges faced by families, including rising costs of transportation, uniforms, and tuition, especially for those just above the poverty threshold.

The agency also cited congestion in public schools as a continuing concern, with overcrowded classrooms affecting the quality of learning.

By supporting student enrollment in private institutions, DepEd said the program helps distribute learners more evenly across the education system while maintaining standards in both public and private schools.

The updated policy introduces stricter screening and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that subsidies reach intended beneficiaries, particularly those from low-income and vulnerable groups.

DepEd added that private schools remain key partners in expanding access to education without overstretching public school capacity.

The revised guidelines, issued under DepEd Order No. 11, series of 2026, will take effect in School Year 2026–2027.