MANILA — Senate President Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to speed up the hiring of School Counselor Associates in public schools amid increasing incidents of violence involving students.

Under the 2026 national budget, P2 billion has been allocated for the hiring of 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions. The funding supports the implementation of the School-Based Mental Health Program mandated under the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, or Republic Act No. 12080.

The law seeks to promote the mental health and well-being of learners and created School Counselor Associate positions to help address the lack of guidance counselors in public schools.

“Naglaan tayo ng pondo para sa pagkuha ng mga School Counselor Associate upang gabayan ang mga mag-aaral sa paghubog ng mabuting asal at matiyak ang kanilang maayos na kalagayang pangkaisipan at emosyonal,” said Gatchalian.

Under the law, applicants for School Counselor Associate positions must possess a bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, Psychology, or any bachelor’s degree with at least 18 units in either field.

Graduates of related degree programs may also qualify if they have completed at least 18 units in Behavioral Science and have undergone at least 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship in guidance and counseling, preferably in school- or community-based settings.