MANILA — More than ₱182 million has been allotted for scholarships in master’s degrees in Guidance Counseling, Psychology, and other specializations under the 2026 national budget to address the shortage of mental health and inclusive education professionals in the Philippine education system.

According to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), the allocation is part of the education sector budget for 2026 aimed at supporting inclusive education and the mental well-being of learners.

“The historic budget we allotted to the education sector for 2026 includes investments that will support inclusive education and uphold the mental health and well-being of our learners,” EDCOM 2 Commissioner Senator Win Gatchalian said.

“These scholarships to support future guidance counselors, therapists, and other allied health professionals are consistent with the progressive realization of promoting mental health in basic education and supporting inclusive education for learners with disabilities,” he added.

Under the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act, budget allocations for scholarships are lodged under the Commission on Higher Education through the “Specialized Post-Graduate Scholarships for DepEd Personnel.” Of the total amount, ₱121.37 million is allocated to support at least two Department of Education employees per Schools Division Office, while ₱60.68 million is earmarked for at least one qualified employee per division office to specialize in inclusive education programs.

The GAA also requires scholarship recipients to enter into a return service agreement. Under the special provision, scholars “shall commit to serve in public schools or government health facilities for a period equivalent to the number of years they received the scholarship,” with priority given to underserved areas and schools with inclusive education programs.

EDCOM 2 cited data showing a significant gap in the supply of professionals, noting that during the 2023–2024 school year, there were fewer than 300 graduates nationwide for a Master of Arts in Guidance Counseling.

“True inclusivity in education means having the right people on the ground. Through these investments, we ensure that our Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and Inclusive Learning Resource Centers are staffed with multidisciplinary teams—from registered guidance counselors (RGCs) and psychologists, to therapists,” Rep. Roman Romulo said.

The Commission also underscored the need for specialists in Inclusive Learning Resource Centers. Under the CHED Merit Scholarship Program, priority will be given to undergraduate students enrolled in Educational Psychology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology to complete the 16-member multidisciplinary teams mandated by Republic Act 11650. Scholarship recipients will likewise be required to fulfill return service obligations in public schools or government health facilities, particularly in underserved areas with inclusive education programs.

“The return service agreement is a vital component of this budget. It guarantees that the expertise acquired by our scholars will be deployed where it is needed most: in our public schools and underserved communities, serving learners with diverse needs,” Romulo added.

Complementing these initiatives, the Teacher Education Council received ₱103 million for its Teacher Education Scholarship Program to address teacher specialization mismatches. The funding will support 1,200 scholarship slots, including 500 for Special Needs Education and 500 for Early Childhood Education.

“EDCOM 2 data revealed a staggering mismatch in our system. We cannot expect quality education if our educators are not equipped with the right expertise,” EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee said. “This funding for the Teacher Education Council is a strategic intervention to close this gap. By specifically targeting Special Needs and Early Childhood Education, we are moving from merely counting teachers to ensuring we have the right teachers for the specific needs of Filipino learners.”