THE Department of Budget and Management has finally approved the longstanding request of the Department of Education for the hiring of at least 4,000 new guidance counselors for our public schools.
The new hiring has relaxed the rather stringent demands for a graduate degree in guidance counseling or psychology, at least three years of experience and 360 hours of internship during college. Even those who have not yet obtained their graduate degrees but have enough experience in the work would be considered for the job.
This is a pressing need in the context of the spate of violence in our schools in the last fortnight. There is also a need to enforce the Anti-Bullying Act and the Safe Spaces Law in our schools.
In our bustling public schools, where classrooms overflow with students and teachers juggle multiple responsibilities, there exists a critical gap in student support systems. While our educational institutions focus heavily on academic achievement, the mental wellness and emotional health of our young people remain inadequately addressed.
The solution lies in recognizing and strengthening the role of guidance counselors — professionals who help in the holistic development of students. Their presence is not a luxury but a necessity.
A guidance counselor is far more than a disciplinarian or administrative staff member. They are educators and mental-health advocates who work to support students' overall development — academic, emotional, social and personal. Their responsibilities cover a broad spectrum of activities designed to help students face the complexities of adolescence and young adulthood.
Guidance counselors provide individual and group counseling services, helping students address personal problems, academic struggles and behavioral issues. They conduct career guidance sessions to help students explore academic pathways and future vocational opportunities. They facilitate life skills workshops covering topics such as stress management, conflict resolution, and healthy relationships. Additionally, they serve as liaisons between students, parents and teachers, enabling communication and collaboration to support student success.
Addressing mental emotional wellness
Our youth face mounting pressures from multiple fronts. Academic expectations, family expectations, social media influences and socioeconomic challenges create a perfect storm of stress that many students struggle to navigate alone. Depression, anxiety and other mental-health concerns among young people have reached alarming levels, yet resources to address these issues remain scarce.
Guidance counselors are uniquely positioned to identify students experiencing emotional distress and provide immediate support. Through active listening and evidence-based counseling techniques, they help students process their emotions and develop their coping mechanisms. For students dealing with family problems, peer conflicts, or academic pressure, a guidance counselor offers a safe, confidential space to express concerns and explore solutions.
Furthermore, guidance counselors play a preventive role in mental health. By conducting school-wide awareness programs about mental health, they help normalize discussions around emotional wellness and reduce stigma. They teach students healthy coping strategies before crisis situations develop, empowering them to manage stress and maintain emotional balance.
There is a profound connection between emotional health and academic performance. Students who struggle emotionally often find it difficult to concentrate, participate in class, or engage with their studies. A guidance counselor recognizes this relationship and works to address emotional barriers to learning.
When a student's grades suddenly drop, a guidance counselor investigates not only the academic factors but also emotional and social circumstances that may be contributing to the decline. Perhaps the student is grieving a loss, experiencing bullying, or struggling with self-esteem issues. By addressing these underlying emotional concerns, counselors help remove obstacles to learning and enable students to reach their academic potential.
Guidance counselors are advocates for creating schools where all students feel safe, valued and included. They work against bullying, discrimination and other harmful behaviors that poison the school environment. By establishing peer support programs, facilitating student leadership initiatives, and addressing conflicts constructively, they contribute to a positive school climate.
This inclusive environment is particularly crucial for marginalized students — those from low-income families, LGBTQ+ youth, students with disabilities, or those from ethnic minorities. Guidance counselors ensure these students have someone who advocates for their rights and supports their well-being within the school community.
Despite their importance, many Philippine public schools suffer from severe counselor shortages. Some schools have only one guidance counselor for 500 or more students, making meaningful individual support impossible.
We commend Secretary Sonny Angara for getting this hiring done. Our students deserve a school system that prioritizes their emotional health alongside their academic achievement. There is no other way to make young minds grow.