Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) is expediting the recruitment of 10,000 School Counselor Associates (SCAs) to enhance mental health support for students amid recent incidents of violence on school campuses.
According to Philippines News Agency, Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the deployment of new associates nationwide, with a focus on schools facing documented bullying cases or higher mental health needs. Angara highlighted the importance of having trusted adults for students to confide in during challenging times.
DepEd reported that 9,702 out of the 10,000 SCA I positions have been advertised through its Agile Gateway for Appointments and Placements (AGAP) portal. Currently, 785 positions are open for applications, 8,811 are under assessment, and 106 are pending appointment. The remaining 298 positions await the Notice of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) or are yet to be posted.
The proposed qualification standards were submitted to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on November 27, 2025, and the hiring process was reduced to 36 days following approval on June 30. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) authorized the creation of the positions on July 15, and new counselor associates will be deployed immediately after assessments and appointments are finalized. The onboarding process is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
Angara underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy combining mental health interventions and physical security to safeguard schools effectively. Speeding up the hiring process aims to strengthen the safety net for students by addressing mental health needs with urgency.
The establishment of these positions was facilitated under Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act of 2024, which became effective on December 6, 2024. SCAs will provide frontline mental health support, information, advocacy, and referral services, assisting school counselors with basic mental health and well-being services.
DepEd has also requested an additional 5,000 SCA I positions through the scrap-and-build process, primarily by converting existing vacant guidance-related roles. This initiative forms part of DepEd's school safety program, encompassing physical security and emergency response training.
