Fewer than 1,000 licensed guidance counselors serve the DepEd‘s approximately 45,000 public schools nationwide, highlighting a shortage of professionals available to support students’ mental health and well-being.
To help address the gap, DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education(CHED) have awarded graduate scholarships to an initial batch of 230 DepEd personnel under the Learning Initiatives for Nurturing Guidance Associates and Counselors (LINGAP) Program.
The initiative comes amid renewed concerns over school safety following separate shootings in Tacloban City, Zamboanga City and Banga, South Cotabato.
In Zamboanga City, two students, including the teenage gunman, died in an August 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School. Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso said the student, an honor student, had reportedly experienced pressure over his grades and was struggling with depression. These were cited as possible factors, not established findings about the motive.
Another shooting at Banga National High School on September 18 left three students dead, including the gunman, and several others injured. DepEd pledged psychological first aid and psychosocial support for those affected.
Under LINGAP, qualified DepEd teaching and non-teaching personnel will receive financial assistance to pursue graduate studies in guidance and counseling or psychology, helping expand the pool of trained professionals in public schools.
“Importanteng masigurado na ang mga mag-aaral ay may access sa mental health professionals para makatulong sa masuportahan ang kanilang mental health at well-being,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
Each scholar will receive tuition and other school fee coverage, a ₱30,000 monthly living allowance, and up to ₱150,000 in research assistance, subject to applicable scholarship policies.
CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis reported that the Philippines had approximately 5,000 guidance counselors as of January 2026, fewer than 1,000 of whom were employed by DepEd. Angara identified low salaries and stringent licensure requirements as among the barriers to filling guidance counselor positions.
“When learners feel safe, supported, and guided, they are better able to learn, make informed choices, and pursue the opportunities ahead of them,” Agrupis said.
For Academic Year 2026–2027, LINGAP has ₱182.055 million allocated for 870 scholarship slots. DepEd shortlisted 327 nominees and endorsed 230 scholars to CHED, with nine recipients from the Negros Island Region receiving their awards in Dumaguete City on October 9.
Upon completing their graduate studies, scholars are expected to take the applicable licensure examination and fulfill return-service obligations. The program aims to strengthen student support over time, although the scholarship awards do not immediately translate into additional licensed guidance counselors.
