MORE than P182 million has been allotted for scholarships in master’s degrees in Guidance Counseling or Psychology and other specializations.
These allocations are necessary to resolve the critical shortage of mental health and inclusive education professionals in the Philippine education system.
“The historic budget we allotted to the education sector for 2026 includes investments that will support inclusive education and uphold the mental health and well-being of our learners,” Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) Commissioner Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.
“These scholarships to support future guidance counselors, therapists, and other allied health professionals are consistent with the progressive realization of promoting mental health in basic education and supporting inclusive education for learners with disabilities,” he added.
Budget allocations under the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act under the Commission on Higher Education include “Specialized Post-Graduate Scholarships for Department of Education (DepEd) Personnel.”
P121.37 million is allocated to support at least two DepEd employees per Schools Division Office (SDO), while another P60.68 million is earmarked for at least one qualified employee per SDO to specialize in support of inclusive education programs.
Data from Edcom reveals a staggering gap in professional supply, noting that in the 2023–2024 school year, there were fewer than 300 graduates nationwide for a Master of Arts in Guidance Counseling.
“True inclusivity in education means having the right people on the ground. Through these investments, we ensure that our Schools Division Offices and Inclusive Learning Resource Centers are staffed with multidisciplinary teams
“Edcom 2 data revealed a staggering mismatch in our system. We cannot expect quality education if our educators are not equipped with the right expertise,” Edcom 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said.
Source: P182M scholarships budget to address shortage of guidance counselors
