The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday announced the nationwide recruitment of 10,000 School Counselor Associate I (SCA I) positions to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support services in public schools.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said the recruitment marks a major milestone in the implementation of Republic Act No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act.
The hiring follows the issuance of DepEd Order No. 019, s. 2026, which adopted the Civil Service Commission-approved qualification standards for the new position under CSC Resolution No. 2600920.
Schools Division Offices (SDOs) that have received their Notice of Organization, Staffing and Classification Action (NOSCA) were directed to immediately begin filling the entry-level positions.
To speed up the hiring process, DepEd directed all SDOs to conduct recruitment through the Agile Gateway for Appointments and Placements (AGAP) System, the department’s digital recruitment platform.
The system allows online publication of vacancies, electronic submission of applications, automated processing of documentary requirements and appointment generation to reduce processing time and administrative workload.
Recognizing that some applicants may have limited internet access, DepEd also instructed SDOs to establish assistance kiosks and help desks to assist walk-in applicants with account creation, document submission and other application requirements.
‘Hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagpuno ng mga plantilla positions. 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,’ Angara said.
He added that the initiative also supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to make schools centers of care and protection for learners while making government recruitment faster and more accessible through digitalization.
Under the program, School Counselor Associates will provide basic mental health and psychosocial services, learner support, documentation, referrals and other related functions, complementing the work of Registered Guidance Counselors in public schools.
Republic Act No. 12080 also establishes a career progression pathway from School Counselor Associate I to V, with opportunities to advance to School Counselor I to IV and eventually Schools Division Counselor, subject to meeting the required qualifications and professional licensure.
DepEd said recruitment will follow an accelerated timetable once an SDO receives its NOSCA.
Applicants for the School Counselor Associate I position must possess a bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology, or a related bachelor’s degree with at least 18 units in Guidance and Counseling, Psychology or Behavioral Science courses, including 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship, preferably in a school or community setting.
No prior work experience or additional training is required, but applicants must have Career Service Professional (Second Level) Eligibility.
DepEd said the initial deployment of 10,000 School Counselor Associates is expected to significantly strengthen the country’s school-based mental health system by providing learners with timely, accessible and professional psychosocial support.