The Department of Education (DepEd) plans to expand mental health and psychosocial support in schools by hiring 48,000 school counselor associates nationwide, but funding remains a major challenge.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency’s 2026 budget currently covers only 10,000 positions, leaving thousands of posts still to be funded.
More Counselors for Safer Schools
Angara said DepEd’s goal is to eventually have one school counselor associate in every school. The initiative comes as the agency works to strengthen student support following a series of school violence incidents, including the recent shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University that left two students dead and another injured.
Counselor associates are expected to help identify warning signs among students and provide support to those dealing with emotional or personal difficulties.
Angara said having someone available to listen can help students who may otherwise feel they have nowhere to turn.
Guidance Counselor Shortage
The hiring plan also seeks to address the shortage of professional guidance counselors in schools.
Angara said the requirement for guidance counselors to have a master’s degree limits the number of qualified applicants. This has prompted DepEd to hire counselor associates who can help augment existing guidance services.
The department hopes to secure additional funding beginning in 2027 and gradually fill the remaining positions. Angara estimated that completing the hiring program could take three to five years, depending on available resources.
Security Also Needs More Funding
DepEd is also working to improve physical security in schools, but Angara acknowledged that not all public schools have security guards because of budget limitations.
Some schools receive assistance from local government units, private organizations and parent-teacher groups. In smaller schools, barangay tanods may also help monitor entrances during arrival and dismissal.
For 2026, DepEd has a P1.015-trillion budget, including P705.79 billion for salaries and benefits of teachers and non-teaching personnel.
Angara said the department is pursuing both mental health interventions and stronger physical security to create safer learning environments for students.
