DepEd advances voucher reforms, strengthens classroom observation system

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DAVAO DE ORO, 05 March 2026 — Education Secretary Sonny Angara pushed forward key reforms, engaging private school partners to improve the voucher program implementation and directing the Department’s Management Committee to enhance the classroom observation system under the Teacher Growth and Performance framework.



These initiatives aim to ensure smoother voucher delivery for learners while strengthening instructional support systems for teachers across schools.



"Sa ngayon, nakatutok tayo sa pagpapabuti at pagpapalawig ng implementasyon ng ating voucher programs sa bansa. And it begins with meaningful conversations with our leaders in private education institutions to ensure that our priorities are aligned in implementing the program," Secretary Angara said.

Led by Secretary Angara, the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) convened for the 351st time, where the committee and private education leaders discussed how the two sectors can work together to ensure that the implementation of the Senior High School Voucher Program remains corruption-free.



DepEd also noted that the new guidelines for the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) will prioritize learners from middle-income and low-income households.



The meeting was also attended by Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) President Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ; PEAC Regional Secretariat XI Regional Program Director Sr. Ma. Marissa R. Viri, RVM; school heads of GASTPE-participating schools in Davao; and other officers and trustees of regional associations.



Secretary Angara also convened DepEd’s National Management Committee members to discuss how the agency can further improve classroom teaching observations while avoiding unnecessary stress among public school teachers.



In response to this concern, the Department is currently working on a policy that focuses on teachers' growth and performance. The framework highlights four key components—Learner Evidence, Professional Artifacts, Collaboration and Professional Engagement, and a Single Classroom Observation—each weighted at 25%, ensuring that no single measure disproportionately determines a teacher’s performance rating.



Furthermore, the proposed policy seeks to promote teachers' professional growth, ensure fairness, manage workload effectively, and ultimately improve learning outcomes.

"Muli, patuloy tayong magsusulong ng mga polisiya at programa para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga kaguruan. President Bongbong Marcos has emphasized time and again the need to protect the welfare of our teachers—and we remain steadfast in carrying out this directive," Secretary Angara said.

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