Philippines Fast-Tracks Hiring of 10,000 School Counselor Associates to Boost Mental Health Support

MANILA, Philippines — In a move to address a persistent shortage in learner mental health services, the Department of Education (DepEd) has officially commenced the nationwide recruitment of 10,000 School Counselor Associate I (SCA I) positions. This initiative is a significant milestone in the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 12080, also known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act. The nationwide hiring follows the issuance of DepEd Order No. 019, s. 2026, which formally adopted the Qualification Standards (QS) approved by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) under CSC Resolution No. 2600920. Schools Division Offices (SDOs) that have received their Notice of Organization, Staffing, and Classification Action (NOSCA) have been directed to immediately begin filling these entry-level positions. To streamline operations and accelerate recruitment nationwide, DepEd has mandated that all SDOs conduct the entire recruitment process through the Agile Gateway for Appointments and Placements (AGAP) System, the Department’s digital recruitment platform. This system facilitates online publication of vacancies, electronic submission of applications, automated processing of documentary requirements, and appointment generation, thereby significantly reducing processing time and administrative burdens. Recognizing that not all applicants have immediate access to digital facilities, SDOs have also been instructed to establish physical assistance kiosks and help desks in their respective offices to assist walk-in applicants with account creation, requirement registration, and document uploading. Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated, “This is not just about filling plantilla positions. The hiring of School Counselor Associates is crucial as they will be the companions of our learners in their daily mental health and psychosocial needs.” “This also responds to President Bongbong Marcos’ directive to make our schools a true center of care and protection. With the help of our new digital system, we have made the recruitment faster and more accessible so they can start immediately without bureaucratic delays,” Angara added. The initiative expands the school-based mental health workforce through the creation and deployment of School Counselor Associate positions. These associates will provide basic mental health services, learner support, documentation, referral, and other related functions, helping to address persistent staffing gaps in public schools. Their deployment complements the specialized guidance and counseling services offered by Registered Guidance Counselors. Beyond expanding the workforce, RA 12080 institutionalizes a career progression pathway from School Counselor Associate I to V. This pathway offers opportunities to advance to School Counselor I to IV and eventually Schools Division Counselor, provided that prescribed qualifications, including professional licensure, are met. Under DepEd’s compressed timeline, the end-to-end recruitment process will proceed on an accelerated schedule upon an SDO’s receipt of its NOSCA. For the School Counselor Associate I position, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology; or any Bachelor’s Degree with at least 18 units in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology; or any related Bachelor’s Degree with at least 18 units in Behavioral Science courses, inclusive of 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship experience in guidance and counseling, preferably in a school or community setting. No prior experience or additional training is required. Applicants must possess Career Service Professional (Second Level) Eligibility. With the deployment of the initial 10,000 School Counselor Associates, DepEd moves closer to fully operationalizing RA 12080 and strengthening a comprehensive school-based mental health system that ensures learners receive timely, accessible, and professional psychosocial support in public basic education.