MEMBERS of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture have urged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to immediately approve the Qualification Standards for School Counselor Associates, warning that the prolonged delay has prevented the hiring of much-needed mental health personnel in public schools despite an existing law and available funding.

The appeal was made during the committee’s hearing on school safety and violence, where lawmakers reviewed the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act following recent violent incidents involving learners.

During the hearing, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Willie Cabral confirmed that no School Counselor Associates have been hired since the law took effect in 2024 because the creation of plantilla positions remains contingent on the CSC’s approval of the qualification standards.

Cabral said DepEd immediately prepared the job descriptions and qualification standards after the law’s enactment and formally submitted the proposed standards to the CSC on Nov. 27, 2025.

He said the commission returned its comments in January 2026, particularly on the law’s requirement for 200 hours of specialized training, which DepEd clarified is expressly mandated under Republic Act No. 12080.

“We submitted a request for the creation of positions of School Counselor Associate I items to the DBM, but we received a communication saying that the creation will be subject to the approval of the qualification standards that we submitted to the Civil Service Commission,” Cabral told lawmakers.

He added that as of June 3, the proposal had already been elevated to the CSC Commission en banc for approval, prompting DepEd to send another follow-up letter emphasizing the urgency of the matter.

House Committee on Basic Education and Culture Chairperson Roman Romulo questioned why the approval process has taken so long, noting that nearly two years have passed since Congress enacted the law.

Romulo said the public could easily conclude that the issue was being acted upon only after the recent school shooting in Tacloban City, adding that earlier action could have strengthened school-based mental health services before the tragedy occurred.

CSC officials confirmed that the proposed qualification standards remain under deliberation by the Commission.

They said the observations raised following DepEd’s submission required further review and assured lawmakers that the agency recognizes the urgency of the matter, although it could not commit to a specific timeline for approval.

Lawmakers also stressed that while teachers are being trained to identify learners showing signs of emotional or psychological distress, they cannot be expected to assume counseling responsibilities on top of their already heavy workloads.

They also pointed to overcrowded classrooms and high teacher-to-student ratios as major obstacles to providing sustained psychosocial support for learners.

The committee likewise cited findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which reported continuing shortages of guidance and mental health personnel in schools, leaving many learners without adequate psychosocial services despite persistent concerns over bullying, violence, and behavioral issues.

According to the report, the limited number of licensed guidance counselors compared with existing vacancies in DepEd underscores the need to establish School Counselor Associate positions to expand access to school-based mental health services.

Romulo emphasized that Congress has already enacted the law and allocated funds in the 2026 national budget for the hiring of 10,000 School Counselor Associates, but implementation cannot proceed until the CSC approves the qualification standards.

He also called for the full implementation of Republic Act No. 12080 and DepEd Order No. 6, Series of 2026, stressing that school safety requires proactive—not reactive—measures.

“Schools must remain places where children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. The law is already there. The funding is already there. What we need now is swift implementation. We cannot afford any more delays,” Romulo said.