‘VERY CONCERNING’ SHORTAGE: 7 guidance counselors for 70 Cebu City schools

Local

AS CEBU City reviews its school safety measures following the deadly Tacloban City school shooting, local officials have uncovered another concern inside public schools: only seven licensed guidance counselors are serving around 70 elementary and high schools under the Department of Education (DepEd).

The shortage, described by Councilor Paul Labra as "very concerning," has prompted City Hall to convene mental health professionals and education stakeholders in search of immediate and long-term solutions.

Labra, who chairs the Cebu City Council Committee on Public Safety, disclosed the figure during an interview on Wednesday, July 1, saying many schools have had to rely on teachers who also perform guidance duties.

"As of now, what we know is that there are fewer than 10. The exact number is seven employed DepEd school guidance counselors," Labra said.

While teachers have stepped in to fill the gap, he noted that they cannot provide the same level of intervention expected from licensed guidance counselors.

"There are school teachers who also act as guidance counselors, but the programs are not as extensive as those of designated guidance counselors. There is really a shortage," he said.

Labra said discussions with stakeholders revealed that the shortage is largely driven by the difficulty of attracting qualified professionals into public schools.

He pointed out that while the position demands extensive qualifications, it carries only a Salary Grade 11 compensation under DepEd.

"As I've said, it's very concerning, and we were shocked by the situation. The requirements are very high, but the salary is only SG 11 or less than 30,000, so they end up working in private institutions," he said.

Because guidance counselor positions are part of DepEd's plantilla, Labra acknowledged that the city government cannot directly adjust salaries.

Instead, he said Cebu City plans to seek DepEd's assistance in filling vacant positions while also pushing for higher compensation at the national level.

"The employment is something we will ask DepEd to help us with. Secondly, we will also push for an increase in the salary grade. This is a national concern because these are DepEd plantilla positions, but the city will help push for it, especially now that we have identified this gap," he said.

As an immediate step, Labra said Mayor Nestor Archival has called for a meeting on Thursday with guidance counselors, psychologists, and other experts to discuss possible interventions.

The consultation aims to formulate protocols and determine how schools and the city government can work together to strengthen student support services.

"We want to explain the need, ask for volunteers, and determine how we should address this problem. We have to come up with protocols and terms of reference so schools will know what should be done with the assistance of the city government," Labra said.

The shortage surfaced during discussions initiated after Labra delivered a privileged speech last week urging the City Council to examine school safety, anti-bullying initiatives, and youth mental health programs in the aftermath of the Tacloban City shooting.

According to the councilor, consultations with the committees on education, health, and public order showed that campus security is only one part of the equation.

He said many students already enter school carrying emotional and personal struggles, but schools often lack the professional support needed to identify and address those concerns early.

"Initially, students come from home already carrying struggles, but because we lack guidance counselors, these are not properly addressed, and the programs are not fully implemented," Labra said.

The findings have reinforced calls for Cebu City to complement tighter security measures with stronger mental health services and early intervention programs in public schools.

Labra has maintained that preventing violence inside schools requires more than police presence and physical security, saying schools, families, communities, and government agencies must work together to address the underlying issues affecting young people before they escalate into more serious incidents.(TGP)