Education Secretary Sonny Angara has urged teachers across the Philippines to take an active role in monitoring their students' emotional well-being as public schools grapple with a severe shortage of guidance counselors.
Angara spoke at the Rise Against Hunger Program at Quirino Elementary School, stating that teachers must be vigilant for signs of unusual behavior, which may indicate deeper issues.
Teachers should check on their students and observe if they are exhibiting unusual behavior because these could be possible triggers for violence.
Sonny Angara, Education Secretary
The push for teacher involvement comes amid a backdrop of increasing school violence incidents, notably following the tragic stabbing of a 13-year-old student at Las Piñas National High School.
- Over 4,000 unfilled guidance counselor positions in public schools.
- DepEd plans to hire 10,000 guidance counselor associates, a role that does not require a professional license.
Angara acknowledged the lack of licensed counselors, stating, "We don't have enough guidance counselors in the Philippines. That's a fact." He noted that the Department of Education (DepEd) is in the process of hiring additional personnel to address this gap.
Moreover, Angara highlighted the need for improved security measures in schools, citing findings from a recent audit that revealed many campuses lack basic safety features such as guards, fences, and surveillance cameras.
Despite the call for teachers to monitor student behavior, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized the government for placing additional burdens on educators already facing heavy workloads.
It is not the job of teachers to serve as nurses, security guards, and guidance counselors.
Ruby Bernardo, ACT Chairperson
Bernardo expressed concern that shifting responsibilities to teachers undermines their primary role and training. "Teachers are already overworked and underpaid; adding these responsibilities is not the solution," she stated.
With the increasing pressures on the educational system, Angara's comments reflect broader issues in the sector, including inadequate mental health support for students and insufficient resources for teachers.