DepEd Hiring 10K Non-Licensed Counselors Post CSC Greenlight

A Long-Awaited Step Forward for School Mental Health

The Civil Service Commission has given the green light through Resolution 2600920, clearing the way for the Department of Budget and Management to create 10,000 "School Counselor Associate I" positions. This comes two years after Republic Act 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, was signed into law in 2024. Education Secretary Sonny Angara called the move a major milestone in a statement released Wednesday.

DepEd had hoped to place these new mental health workers in schools for the 2026-2027 school year that opened last month, but the final hiring guidelines had to wait for CSC approval. With roughly P2 billion already set aside in the 2026 national budget, the focus now shifts to DepEd drafting its own internal rules for recruitment, appointment, and deployment.

How Students Stand to Benefit

Filipino students have long carried heavy loads, from academic pressure to family worries and the quiet struggles that come with growing up in busy barangays. The shortage of licensed guidance counselors has left many young people without someone to turn to when anxiety or sadness sets in. These 10,000 associate positions, open to graduates in psychology, behavioral science, or guidance and counseling who complete 200 hours of training, will begin to fill that gap.

Young learners in public schools across the country may soon find it easier to talk about their feelings without traveling far or waiting weeks for help. In communities where tricycle rides to the nearest clinic eat up precious time and money, having a counselor associate right on campus could make all the difference for a student facing exam stress or peer conflicts.

Relief for Parents and Kapitbahay Networks

Parents, especially those juggling work in sari-sari stores or overseas jobs as OFWs, often feel helpless when their children show signs of emotional distress. The new positions signal that help is coming closer to home. Families in provinces and cities alike may breathe easier knowing schools are building teams that can catch problems early and guide children toward healthier coping ways.

This development echoes the bayanihan spirit, where neighbors look out for one another. When schools gain these associates, parents can partner more closely with educators, sharing concerns during simple conversations at the school gate rather than navigating long referral processes.

Building Stronger School Communities

Public schools serve as the heart of many neighborhoods, hosting not just classes but also fiestas and community gatherings. Adding counselor associates creates a clearer career path that includes School Counselor I to IV, School Counselor Associate I to V, and Schools Division Counselor roles. This structure encourages dedicated workers to stay and grow within the system.

Jeepney drivers, farmers, and local workers whose children attend these schools will see the change in small but meaningful ways. A child who once bottled up worries might now find an open door during recess, helping the whole family stay steadier through daily challenges.

Addressing Past Delays and Moving Ahead

Lawmakers had voiced frustration over the slow pace. During a June 29 hearing, House basic education panel chair Rep. Roman Romulo of Pasig City pointed out the sluggish approval of standards. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, the law's main author, urged DepEd to act quickly in filling the vacancies.

DepEd is now preparing recruitment guidelines, marking the first phase of a larger plan to expand mental health support. While the positions are not yet being filled, the CSC and DBM steps remove a key barrier that had kept the program on hold despite available funding.

What This Means for Everyday Filipino Life

The rollout of these associates will touch ordinary households in practical ways. Students in crowded classrooms may receive more personal attention, reducing the chance that silent struggles turn into bigger problems later. Communities that value close-knit support will welcome the added layer of care inside their local schools.

As DepEd finalizes its processes, families can look forward to schools that feel more complete, places where mental well-being sits alongside reading and math as a shared priority. This steady progress honors the intent of RA 12080 while keeping the focus on the children and parents who need it most.