DepEd Proposes Removing Master’s Degree Requirement for Guidance Counselors to Combat Bullying

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is advocating for the removal of the master’s degree requirement for guidance counselors, aiming to quickly fill thousands of vacancies nationwide and enhance efforts to tackle school bullying.

According to Philippines News Agency, Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2) Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, there are currently about 5,000 guidance counselor positions unfilled across the country, significantly impeding the ability to address bullying effectively. Yee disclosed this during a press briefing, noting the severe shortage and its implications. “Our vacancies in the DepEd, there are 5,000 unfilled plantilla positions for guidance counselors. But when you look at it, there’s no institution in the country that offers master’s in guidance counseling,” he explained.

Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted that DepEd has been working with the Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to modify the existing qualifications. The proposal would allow individuals holding degrees in guidance and counseling, psychology, and other related fields to qualify for these roles, bypassing the current master’s degree requirement. Angara also called on legislators to amend the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004, which sets the master’s degree as a prerequisite, emphasizing the disparity with the requirements for becoming a teacher.

Furthermore, Angara stressed the importance of adherence to the anti-bullying law, which he authored during his tenure as a congressman. The law mandates schools to develop and implement anti-bullying policies. However, Angara pointed out that compliance remains inconsistent. “The problem on the ground is that very few schools have their own anti-bullying policy. We will really monitor and track the compliance on this,” he stated.