By Brian Campued
Marking a major milestone in the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, the Department of Education (DepEd) has welcomed the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) approval of the Qualification Standards (QS) for new school counselor posts in public schools.
Under CSC Resolution No. 2600920, the commission approved the QS for the positions of Schools Division Counselor (SDC), School Counselor I to IV, and School Counselor Associate (SCA) I to V.
In a press release Wednesday, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the need to expand school-based counseling services and strengthen mental health and psychosocial support for learners.
“By rolling out this dedicated workforce of counselors and counselor associates, we are taking a concrete step toward fulfilling the directive of President Bongbong Marcos to transform our schools into centers of genuine care, protection, and well-being,” Angara said.
With the approved QS, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) can create 10,000 positions for School Counselor Associate I for deployment in public schools beginning in the school year 2026 to 2027.
Following the creation of counselor positions, the DepEd will prepare the necessary implementation guidelines covering the recruitment, appointment, and deployment of qualified School Counselor Associates in accordance with civil service rules and regulations.
RA 12080 mandates the establishment and implementation of mental health and well-being programs for both basic education learners and teaching and non-teaching personnel in public and private schools.
As part of the initiative, every public school will establish a Care Center equipped to deliver mental health services, including counseling and monitoring, and provide necessary support for learners and staff.
Additionally, a Mental Health and Well-Being Office will be set up in every Schools Division Office (SDO) to oversee and implement these programs effectively.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) and co-authored the law, also welcomed the approval of the QS for counseling positions, stressing the current demand for experts in the implementation of the School-Based Mental Health Program.
“Now that the QS are approved, the Department of Education should lose no time in filling up the 10,000 positions for School Counselor Associate I, which received a P2 billion allocation under the 2026 national budget,” Gatchalian said in a Facebook post.
“Ngayon natin higit na kinakailangan ng mga propesyonal para itaguyod ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he added.
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