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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian highlights EDCOM II official's backing of school-based mental health bill 

Gatchalian highlights EDCOM II official's backing of school-based mental health bill 

Published Aug 17, 2024 09:24 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has highlighted a Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) official's support for his measure promoting the mental health and well-being of the country's learners. 

gatchiedcom.jpgSenator Sherwin Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has highlighted a Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) official’s support for his measure promoting the mental health and well-being of the country’s learners.

Aside from strengthening the school-based mental health program, the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, embodied in Senate Bill (SB) No. 2200, also prescribes the hiring of qualified and competent personnel to deliver mental health services.

According to EDCOM II Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee, SB No.2200 will also address the Philippines’ shortage of guidance counselors

“Kasabay ng pagkakaroon ng programa sa mental health ng ating mga mag-aaral, kailangan din nating tiyaking may sapat at mga kwalipikadong propesyonal upang maipatupad ang programa sa mga paaralan," Gatchalian said.

(Pursuing a mental health program for our learners means we also need to ensure that there are enough qualified professionals to implement the program in schools.)

"Mahalagang itaguyod natin ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral dahil nakakabit ito sa kanilang kakayahang matuto,” added the senator.

(It's important for us to promote the welfare and safety of our students since these are linked to their ability to learn.)

In a press briefing, Yee emphasized a significant gap in the availability of qualified guidance counselors within the Department of Education (DepEd).

While there are nearly 5,000 plantilla positions for guidance counselors in the department, only about 300 candidates graduate each year with the required master’s degree in guidance and counseling.

This shortage is primarily due to the scarcity of schools offering master’s programs in guidance and counseling. Yee added that if the current setup continues, it will take 14 years to fill the current vacancies.

The Gatchalian measure creates the new plantilla positions of School Counselor Associate I to V, School Counselor I, and Schools Division Counselor. The senator emphasized that by creating more positions, mental health services can become more accessible to learners.

A School Counselor Associate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, any Bachelor’s Degree with 18 units of courses in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology, and any related Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 18 units of Behavioral Science subjects.

Meanwhile, a School Counselor and a Schools Division Counselor must be a registered Psychologist.

The existing positions of Guidance Counselor, Guidance Coordinator, and Guidance Services Specialist shall be converted or reclassified to the pertinent newly created positions.

Related Tags

EDCOM 2 Sherwin Gatchalian Mental health
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