The Department of Education (DepEd) is pushing to remove the master’s degree requirement for guidance counselors to address a critical shortage of nearly 5,000 positions in schools across the country. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the urgency of the situation, saying that with the current regulations, it could take up to 14 years to fill these vacancies.

During a press briefing on Aug. 13, Angara proposed a temporary solution, suggesting that the government grant a five-year grace period for those seeking to obtain the necessary credentials.

The shortage of guidance counselors has raised concerns about student safety, particularly in light of rising bullying incidents. 

According to the Second Congressional Commission on Education Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, the Philippines has the highest percentage of bullying among participating countries in the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). 

Angara noted that the DepEd is collaborating with the Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Higher Education to address the shortage issue. 

He emphasized the need to allow graduates in psychology and related fields to fill the guidance counselor roles.

“Sana punuan muna ‘yung 5,000 bakanteng posisyon ng kahit graduates ng guidance counselling, psychology, or whatever specialization. Pero hindi na kailangan ‘yung master’s degree para bigyan sila ng palugit o limang taon para makuha nila ‘yung necessary credentials. [I hope they fill the 5,000 vacant positions with graduates of guidance counseling, psychology, or any relevant specialization. But there’s no need for a master’s degree; instead, they should be given a five-year grace period to obtain the necessary credentials],” the DepEd chief said. 

He added there are efforts in the legislative to remove the postgraduate requirement in the law. 

Under Republic Act 9258, or the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004, only those who pass a licensure exam can practice guidance counseling. 

This exam requires a bachelor’s degree in guidance counseling or a related field, along with a master’s degree. 

However, Angara pointed out that very few institutions offer a master’s program in guidance counseling, making it difficult to fill the existing vacancies.

As the DepEd moves to amend the law, Angara emphasized the need for schools to comply with the anti-bullying law by creating and enforcing their own policies.

He said, “The problem on the ground, very few schools have their own anti-bullying policy.”