The initiative is a key step in the full implementation of Republic Act No. 12080 (or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act), the department said.
According to the Department of Education, Secretary Sonny Angara has launched the national recruitment for 10,000 positions of School Counselor Associate I (SCA I) through 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.
The aim of the directive is to provide additional support in the implementation of school-based mental health, psychosocial support, and guidance services in public schools nationwide.
As entry-level mental health support personnel who will serve under the supervision of licensed School Counselors, SCAs will assist in providing basic psychosocial support, learner profiling, documentation, referral, and other related guidance and counseling services.
The Department also noted that they are not a replacement for Registered Guidance Counselors, but are partners in expanding students’ access to mental health services and help address the shortage of guidance personnel in public schools.
For the position of School Counselor Associate I, the qualifications are 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 at least 18 units in Behavioral Science courses, including 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship experience in guidance and counseling (preferably in a school or community setting).
In addition, they must also possess Career Service Professional (Second Level) Eligibility, with no prior work experience or additional training required for the said position.
“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagpuno ng mga plantilla positions,” emphasized Angara. “Napakahalaga ng pag-hire natin ng mga School Counselor Associates dahil sila ang magiging kaagapay ng ating mga mag-aaral sa pang-araw-araw nilang mental health at psychosocial needs.”
Schools Division Offices (SDOs) that have received their Notice of Organization, Staffing, and Classification Action (NOSCA) are also advised to immediately begin filling the said entry-level positions.
Meanwhile, to expedite the process and avoid any delays in hiring staff, the DepEd has mandated that all application submission, selection process, and assignment activities be conducted exclusively through DepEd’s recruitment platform, the Agile Gateway for Appointments and Placements (AGAP) System.
For applicants with limited access to the internet or digital facilities, SDOs have also been directed to set up physical assistance kiosks and help desks in their respective offices to guide walk-in applicants in creating an account, registering their application, and uploading the required documents.
“Sa tulong ng ating bagong digital system, ginawa nating mas mabilis at accessible ang recruitment para agad silang makapagsimula nang walang bureaucratic delays,” further noted the Education chief.
Aside from meeting the urgent need for additional mental health personnel in schools, RA 12080 also establishes a clear career progression pathway from SCA I to V to the levels of licensed counselor (School Counselor I to IV and Schools Division Counselor), consistent with qualification standards and professional licensure.
