Business · Philippines Bureau
DepEd seeks bigger budget to expand school counselor workforce
The Department of Education is pushing for increased funding to hire thousands of additional school counselor associates nationwide. The move aims to bolster mental health support services for the country's student population.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Department of Education said Wednesday it is seeking additional budget allocation to expand its school counselor associate positions, part of broader efforts to strengthen mental health services in the country's education system.
DepEd Governance and Operations Undersecretary Malcolm Garma disclosed the funding request during a forum at Manila Prince Hotel, noting that the agency has already commenced hiring nearly 10,000 school counselor associates to meet growing demand for mental health support among learners.
The recruitment drive underscores DepEd's commitment to addressing the emotional and psychological well-being of students as schools continue to manage challenges in the post-pandemic education landscape. School counselor associates are tasked with providing guidance, support, and referral services to help students cope with academic pressures and personal concerns.
The planned expansion reflects recognition that mental health services remain critical in Philippine schools, where counseling staff have traditionally been limited in number relative to student populations. Officials indicated the additional funding would enable the department to accelerate the hiring process and ensure broader coverage across educational institutions nationwide.