DepEd to Implement 1:1 Principal-to-School Policy to Strengthen Education Sector

PASIG CITY, 31 January 2025 — In a significant move to bolster the education sector, the Department of Education (DepEd) under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s administration is set to implement a 1:1 principal-to-school policy. This initiative aims to ensure that every school has a dedicated principal.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of this policy, stating, “Gagawa tayo at mag-dedeploy ng School Principal items sa mga paaralan na wala nito. Sa kasalukuyang patakaran natin, hindi automatic na 1 school head per 1 school. Babaguhin natin ito. Basta may school, may principal dapat.”

This policy shift comes in response to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) Year 2 report, which revealed that 24,916 public schools currently lack school heads. To address this, DepEd plans to promote and reclassify qualified Head Teachers and Teachers-in-Charge into formal principal positions.

Additionally, DepEd will assess regions with an oversupply of qualified principal applicants and develop strategies to reallocate them fairly to areas with shortages. “Kailangan din natin makita ang overall distribution. Saan may regions na may oversupply ng qualified principals? Paano ma-i-distribute ito while being fair to the principal applicant?” Angara noted.

DepEd is also planning to decentralize the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH) to improve accessibility for aspiring school leaders while maintaining a uniform standard across all divisions and regions. The Department is exploring offering NQESH more frequently and expanding training programs under the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) to support teachers aspiring for principalship.

In the Philippine education system, school heads are crucial for providing instructional leadership, managing school operations, implementing policies effectively, and fostering a supportive learning environment that enhances both teacher performance and student outcomes.