SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed the Department of Budget and Management’s recent approval of 16,000 new teaching positions for School Year 2025–2026, calling it a key step in addressing the country’s persistent shortage of educators.

However, Gatchalian emphasized that while the creation of new positions is a move in the right direction, the real challenge lies in ensuring they are filled promptly and efficiently.

“The DBM’s approval of 16,000 new teaching positions is crucial in meeting the Department of Education’s manpower needs. While these positions are now available, it is equally important to ensure that they are actually filled,” he said.

A consistent advocate for education reforms, Gatchalian renewed his call for the Department of Education (DepEd) to urgently overhaul its recruitment, selection, and appointment guidelines.

He highlighted the need to shorten the current hiring process, which he noted can take up to six months.

“I reiterate my call for the DepEd to urgently revise its recruitment, selection, and appointment guidelines to substantially reduce the average hiring period of six months,” he said.

Gatchalian also underscored that the country’s ongoing education crisis requires urgent and sustained action—especially in ensuring that every classroom has a competent teacher.

“Sa pagsugpo natin sa krisis sa edukasyon, patuloy nating pagsikapang may sapat at mahuhusay na mga guro sa mga paaralan,” the senator added.

His call comes amid broader government efforts to address learning poverty and declining student performance, with lawmakers pushing for systemic improvements in both the quantity and quality of public school teachers.